The issues surrounding Wollumbin and its use were highlighted yesterday during the first meeting of the Wollumbin Stakeholders Advisory Committee whose aim is to provide a forum for key stakeholders, including local government and the tourism industry, to provide input to future decisions regarding Wollumbin.
NPWS Executive Director Deon van Rensburg said the meeting was positive. ‘Participants in the independently facilitated session stated that it was constructive and productive.’
Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry said the meeting discussed a range of important issues. ‘There was a shared acknowledgement of the importance of the cultural significance of Wollumbin/Mt Warning to Aboriginal people by the group.
‘We spent time exploring ways the park’s unique environment could be shared with the broader community in the future in a culturally sensitive way, which acknowledges the significance of the Aboriginal Place.
Development of alternative experiences
‘There were also discussions on the development of alternative experiences such as development of new bushwalking trails.’
NPWS will support the Advisory Committee and facilitate its engagement on ideas and opportunities for the future management of Wollumbin which can be shared with the Wollumbin Consultative Group.
The Advisory Committee will also provide an opportunity for representatives to share their views and provide comments on future recreational opportunities at Wollumbin (outside the Aboriginal Place) and in other national parks of the wider Tweed-Byron Area.
The meeting re-iterated:
• The NSW Government announced in October that it will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wollumbin Consultative Group that will provide a framework for Aboriginal decision-making about the national park, as a first step to joint management.
• Planning is progressing to reopen visitor precincts below the summit Aboriginal Place damaged by flooding in Wollumbin National Park as soon as possible.
• It will be a decision for the Aboriginal custodians whether or not to re-open the summit track.
• The NSW Government has not imposed, and does not intend to impose, any restrictions on the use of images of Wollumbin.
What a load of BS, Wollumbin was taken as the heritage and name of my family’s peak and applied as a fake dual name to Mt Warning (Wulambiny Momoli).
I agree with James. There needs to be a thorough investigation of his claims.
I have visited, and on many occasions taken others to witness the grandeur and majesty of the trees and landscape at the car park where the walking track begins… I have never felt to go to the top of the mountain. If it is culturally appropriate and approved by elders I feel that the witnessing of this spirituality transforming sight/ site helps people understand the destruction that has occurred in surrounding areas. I feel that this experience, not the cloning to the top, but witnessing the power of nature via the short walking tracks near to the car park, help empower individuals to advocate for the protection and preservation of nature and the natural environment
He is right, and Aunty Boyd, now deceased agreed. She said walk the mountain to understand the majesty of it. Our history of Captain Cook is lost with the false name change.
Why were no representatives from those supporting continued public access to the park and summit invited?
Where were representives of Githabul Ngarakbal women ignored by NPWS for last 20 years?
Smacks of yet another committee stacked with bureaucrats selling out the interests of the majority. Let’s have a vote on it! Re-open Mt Warning!
FYI Mr Angry Entitled White Man, this “Stakeholders Group” is solely representatives of those supporting continued public access to the park and summit + NPWS. Smacks of yet another outraged entitled Sydneysider!
“the Wollumbin Stakeholders Advisory Committee” Who the hell do they think they are , and why do they presume to speak on behalf of Australians who own Mt. Warning ?
Australian tax-payers are the only authority who need to be consulted on plans for national parks, and the idea that “key stakeholders, including local government and the tourism industry, to provide input to future decisions regarding ” Mt Warning. is preposterous , it is a NATIONAL PARK.
“Aboriginal decision-making about the national park” is about as relevant as, fish decision-making on bicycle manufacture.
Who is making up this rubbish ?
Cheers, G”)
Ken, I agree. Even though the this Stakeholders Advisory Committee are taxpayers, the mayor, local government and tourist operators should have no role in telling the traditional custodians and NPWS how to manage their own land.
But typically you’ve missed the point yet again. There was no Aboriginal representation at that meeting for you to vent your entitled bigoted outrage. Did you happen to read the bit “yesterday during the first meeting of”…?
It is a declared Aboriginal Place after all, gazetted under NSW legislation in view of its cultural significance and ownership.