Education & Planning Support for Local Aboriginal Land Councils | NSW
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
This commendation recognises the education and planning support provided by Department of Planning with the Local Aboriginal Land Councils who have faced barriers due to the complexity of the planning and thus preventing participation and engagement with the NSW planning system. Many LALCs did not have immediate and convenient access to important planning information about their landholdings. LALCs are unique and need to participate in the planning system, to ensure creation of housing and job opportunities.
DPE worked with and undertook training, since commencement in 2016, and has delivered support to 51 LALCs and 3 Aboriginal corporations through a total 24 training sessions across NSW. A number of educational initiatives have been implemented, including:
• Introduction to the NSW Planning System Training Program
• Undertaking Planning Analysis Reports
• Embedded DPE LALC Planners
• Aboriginal Land SEPP Guideline
The judges that working with and providing opportunities to LALCs can assist towards self-determination over their land. Surveys indicated that 100% of participants would recommend the course. A program like this supports the unique role that LALCs have as significant landowners with cultural, social, and economic interests and provides further capacity building in responsibilities, including statutory obligations.