Recognition for Coffs Harbour’s unique Aboriginal cultural heritage

Coffs Harbour’s rich Aboriginal cultural heritage will be formally embedded in the City’s planning and assessment processes for the delivery of community projects and proposed property developments after a landmark decision. 

The City has been working with the local Indigenous community and NSW Government since 2016 toward formulation of a framework which recognises the importance of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage. 

At its meeting of 8 August, Council voted unanimously to adopt the Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Plan and the associated Cultural Heritage Map and an amendment to the Development Control Plan. 

“This will provide greater clarity for the local Gumbaynggirr people, the City when delivering its projects, the broader community, and for proponents of building and development proposals,” City of Coffs Harbour City Planning and Communities Director Chris Chapman said. 

“This extensive body of collaborative work firms up how Aboriginal cultural heritage is considered as part of the City’s planning and assessment processes.” 

The draft plan had been on public exhibition for a month, while City staff ran three information sessions for the development industry. Feedback from these exercises was generally supportive of the plan. 

The now adopted management plan is supported by an online cultural heritage map developed by the NSW Government. 

The map – which will be hosted on the City’s website and be publicly accessible - will be dynamic and likely to change over time, as more Aboriginal cultural heritage values are added, or removed where values are confirmed to not be present. 

“The local Aboriginal community is committed to working with local stakeholders to ensure protection of local Aboriginal culture and heritage,” Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Chris Spencer said. 

“City of Coffs Harbour has developed the management plan in collaboration with the local Aboriginal community to ensure that cultural interests are protected for all members of the local community to enjoy as a community asset.” 

In practice, Mr Chapman said the management plan will see City staff consult with the local Land Council when processing development applications. 

“Normal development application timeframes will not be impacted by this process,” he said. 

The City has been a leader in developing the plan, as Coffs is one of only two Councils in the region with an adopted Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan. 

“Aboriginal cultural heritage is significant nationally and internationally, so this work is enormously important for today and into the future,” Mr Chapman said.