Me-Mel Island a step closer to being reunited with Indigenous owners

By TILEAH DOBSON

The heritage-listed island within the heart of Sydney Me-Mel (Goat Island) is currently in the process of transferring ownership back to the Aboriginal community.

The NSW government announced today that it takes a significant step by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Me-Mel Transfer Committee.

$43 million dollars has been committed to the transfer arrangements and to “restore” Me-Mel. The committee established consists of key Aboriginal representatives and state government representatives from the Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Cabinet Office and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The committee members

The 14 members of the committee include Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council representatives Allan Murray, Nathan Moran, Eunice Roberts and Jennah Dungay, Aboriginal community representatives Shane Phillips, Amanda Reynolds, Elizabeth Tierney and Ash Walker and NSW Aboriginal Land Council representatives Heidi Hardy and Abie Wright.

Members from the NSW government include Angie Stringer, Director Aboriginal Partnerships, Planning and Heritage and Deon van Rensburg, Director Greater Sydney Branch, National Parks & Wildlife Service; Nikki Williams, Director for Economic Policy Branch, The Cabinet Office; and Jonathon Captain-Webb, Director, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Land and Economy for Aboriginal Affairs NSW.

It’ll be the committee’s job to identify and provide options for tourism, cultural and public use of Me-Mel, as well as advising on the site’s management.

NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that he was “proud to be taking another step towards transferring this island to the Aboriginal community.”

“The island will be a symbol of reconciliation in the heart of Sydney Harbour. We are listening to the Aboriginal community through this process,” he said.

“That is what the signing of this agreement is all about. I thank the previous government and its former premiers for their commitment to this project over many years. We are proud to continue this work with the committee.”

Research to identify owners

The committee has given the green light to support a Registered Aboriginal Owners research project which seeks to identify Aboriginal Owners of Me-Mel. This research is, according to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris important.

“We will look to the results of this important research project and to the Aboriginal people for what happens next,” he said.

“This diverse committee plays a crucial role in advising government on how the transfer of Me Mel to the Aboriginal community could work.”

City Hub reached out to CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Nathan Moran and has not received a response in time.