A survey team from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) has won a State-wide award for its survey of a significant Aboriginal Land Claim on the South Coast.
The Department’s Crown Lands Survey and Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council were judged winners of the NSW Spatial Enablement category of the Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards.
MP for the South Coast, Shelley Hancock congratulated the winners saying the Aboriginal Land Claim by the Land Council covered 172 hectares in three sections near the northern headland of Jervis Bay near Currarong.
“The Nowra Crown Lands survey team used a wide variety of cutting-edge technologies to overcome difficult and sometimes dangerous geographic challenges to accurately map the land claim’s boundaries,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The survey team tackled natural barriers including heavily vegetated terrain, 1.6 kilometres of near vertical rugged cliffs, 700 metres of creek line, 2.1 kilometres of tidal shoreline, and bushfire threats,” she said.
Mrs Hancock said the land had been transferred to Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council which would manage the area going forward.
Minister for Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey said land claims were often complex and require detailed investigations.
“So, it’s great to see this Crown Lands survey team recognised for pulling out all stops,” Mrs Pavey said.
A video (with sound) detailing the project, produced by DPIE’s Crown Lands survey team, can be accessed at this PS News link.
