The Department for Environment and Water has announced that a co-management agreement had been reached with Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) for three Adelaide national parks.
The agreement provides a formal platform for co-management of the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park-Winaityinaityi Pangkara, Aldinga Conservation Park and Torrens Island Conservation Park.
A Kaurna Parks Advisory Committee comprising representatives from Kaurna and the Department has been set up to provide parks management advice to the Minister and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Chair of the Co-management Advisory Committee, Stuart Paul said co-management in South Australia was about bringing together traditional Aboriginal beliefs and contemporary Western perspectives on the importance of looking after land.
“The concept recognises that Aboriginal and conservation challenges and initiatives cannot be addressed in isolation,” Mr Paul said, “that healthy country and healthy communities go hand-in-hand.”
“More specifically, co-management acknowledges the rights and capacity of Aboriginal communities to manage cultural and natural values on traditional lands; educates the wider community about ‘healthy country’; and brings them along on a journey of mutual respect and understanding.”
He said the relationship to Country was central to Aboriginal culture, identity, spiritual beliefs and wellbeing, and access was critical to maintaining this relationship.
It could also provide additional social, health and economic benefits for Aboriginal people.
“This co-management agreement allows Aboriginal communities to look after and use sacred places in accordance with their traditional culture and values,” Mr Paul said.
