Draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan

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Consultation has concluded

Public Exhibition closed: Thank you to everyone who made a submission and attending our information sessions.

Feedback received from the community is an important part of the preparation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan. Following the exhibition period, we will review all feedback received and prepare a final version of the Management Plan. The Management Plan will then be reported to Council for adoption together with submissions received.

About the draft Management Plan

Coffs Harbour region has unique and diverse Aboriginal and historical cultural heritage that is essential to its character and identity.

The City of Coffs Harbour (City) has a statutory obligation to identify, assess, and protect places of local cultural heritage significance for current and future generations.

We are seeking feedback on the draft Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan, as well as an associated amendment to the Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015.

This draft Management Plan is an acknowledgement of the value and importance of the Gumbaynggirr people’s stories and culture and a demonstration of respect of these values.

The City has developed the draft Management Plan to provide guidance for property owners and developers as part of the planning approval processes managed by the City, with the aim of understanding, respecting, and protecting our indigenous history. 

The draft Management Plan is supported by an online Aboriginal cultural heritage map which identifies known and predictive Aboriginal cultural heritage. While the map supports the draft Management Plan it has already been endorsed by the NSW Government and the local Aboriginal community, and it is on display for information only. Public comments are to be directed toward the Management Plan document and the associated amendment to Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015.  

The draft Management Plan sets out the process for preparing and assessing development proposals that have potential to impact Aboriginal cultural heritage, including:

  • Development Applications
  • Rezonings, preparation of strategic plans etc.
  • On-ground activities (footpaths, boardwalks, playgrounds etc.)

The draft Management Plan ensures that individuals have the right tools and information at their disposal to meet their obligations under the law and to enable cultural heritage to be properly managed.

How was the draft Management Plan developed?

The draft Management Plan has been developed in partnership with the NSW Government, the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council, local Elders groups and Gumbaynggirr Cultural Knowledge Holders to ensure that the development process provides protection for Aboriginal cultural heritage across the local government area.

Have your say

The City of Coffs Harbour is seeking feedback on the draft Management Plan and we invite submissions from any person.

Take time to familiarise yourself with the following documents:

Get involved:

  • Attend our final online Development Industry information session on Thursday 27 June at 2pm. This session is intended for those operating in the building and development industry.
  • Make an online submission by providing any general thoughts, ideas or concerns.

Submissions can be made by:

The submission period closes 5pm Monday 1 July 2024.

Acknowledgement of Country

The City of Coffs Harbour acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gumbaynggirr people, who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and commit ourselves to a future with reconciliation and renewal at its heart.

Public Exhibition closed: Thank you to everyone who made a submission and attending our information sessions.

Feedback received from the community is an important part of the preparation of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan. Following the exhibition period, we will review all feedback received and prepare a final version of the Management Plan. The Management Plan will then be reported to Council for adoption together with submissions received.

About the draft Management Plan

Coffs Harbour region has unique and diverse Aboriginal and historical cultural heritage that is essential to its character and identity.

The City of Coffs Harbour (City) has a statutory obligation to identify, assess, and protect places of local cultural heritage significance for current and future generations.

We are seeking feedback on the draft Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan, as well as an associated amendment to the Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015.

This draft Management Plan is an acknowledgement of the value and importance of the Gumbaynggirr people’s stories and culture and a demonstration of respect of these values.

The City has developed the draft Management Plan to provide guidance for property owners and developers as part of the planning approval processes managed by the City, with the aim of understanding, respecting, and protecting our indigenous history. 

The draft Management Plan is supported by an online Aboriginal cultural heritage map which identifies known and predictive Aboriginal cultural heritage. While the map supports the draft Management Plan it has already been endorsed by the NSW Government and the local Aboriginal community, and it is on display for information only. Public comments are to be directed toward the Management Plan document and the associated amendment to Coffs Harbour Development Control Plan 2015.  

The draft Management Plan sets out the process for preparing and assessing development proposals that have potential to impact Aboriginal cultural heritage, including:

  • Development Applications
  • Rezonings, preparation of strategic plans etc.
  • On-ground activities (footpaths, boardwalks, playgrounds etc.)

The draft Management Plan ensures that individuals have the right tools and information at their disposal to meet their obligations under the law and to enable cultural heritage to be properly managed.

How was the draft Management Plan developed?

The draft Management Plan has been developed in partnership with the NSW Government, the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council, local Elders groups and Gumbaynggirr Cultural Knowledge Holders to ensure that the development process provides protection for Aboriginal cultural heritage across the local government area.

Have your say

The City of Coffs Harbour is seeking feedback on the draft Management Plan and we invite submissions from any person.

Take time to familiarise yourself with the following documents:

Get involved:

  • Attend our final online Development Industry information session on Thursday 27 June at 2pm. This session is intended for those operating in the building and development industry.
  • Make an online submission by providing any general thoughts, ideas or concerns.

Submissions can be made by:

The submission period closes 5pm Monday 1 July 2024.

Acknowledgement of Country

The City of Coffs Harbour acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Gumbaynggirr people, who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and commit ourselves to a future with reconciliation and renewal at its heart.