Community to become sole managers of national park in two years
Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council will take on sole management of Booderee National Park in May 2028, ending decades of joint management with Parks Australia.
The announcement was made during the 30th anniversary of the park’s handback at Green Patch in Jervis Bay on Saturday.
Speaking at the handback celebrations, chair of the Joint Board for Booderee, Beverley Ardler, confirmed the change.
She said the park will be solely managed by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council (WBACC) from May 2028, without Parks Australia’s input.
According to Ms Ardler, the move will see the community become the first of the three jointly managed Commonwealth parks to transition to sole Aboriginal management.
Key Points
- Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council to manage Booderee alone from May 2028
- Move will end joint management with Parks Australia at Wreck Bay
- Beverley Ardler confirms plan during 30th handback anniversary at Green Patch
- Booderee first among three jointly managed Commonwealth parks to shift to sole control
- Parks Australia says it is working on a pathway to sole management
- Celebrations featured smoking ceremony, Doonooch Dancers, choir and live music
Ms Ardler said the decision reflected the capacity built within the Wreck Bay community to manage their country independently. She emphasised the community’s intent to take full responsibility for the national park at Wreck Bay within two years.
Booderee National Park in NSW, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Kakadu in the Northern Territory are the only three Aboriginal-owned and jointly managed Commonwealth parks in Australia. Under the joint management model, traditional owners and Parks Australia work together to care for country. Last year, Uluru celebrated 40 years, while Kakadu is in its 43rd year of joint management.
Parks Australia said in a statement it was working with the community to develop a pathway towards sole management. Director of Parks Australia, Djungan man Ricky Archer, said the department supported the Wreck Bay community’s plans to realise sole management and to build a strong pathway to that outcome.
Community marks 30 years since handback
The 30th anniversary celebrations were held under the trees at Green Patch in Booderee National Park. Representatives from Kakadu National Park attended the event, as did guests from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
The program featured a smoking ceremony and traditional performances from the Doonooch Dancers, along with choir performances and live music. Aunty Annette Brown presented the Welcome to Country.
