Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818:front:0:p13
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 33086–35984

and land owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council are listed on the Register of the National Estate. The register was frozen in February 2007 which means that no new places can be added or removed; it will continue to be a statutory register until February 2012 but has been replaced by other heritage lists under the EPBC Act.

A unique partnership

Joint management
The Wreck Bay people are the long-term custodians of the area. It is in our interest that the Wreck Bay people are involved in the management of the park. The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community will ensure that important values, customs and beliefs will be maintained, promoted and enhanced at Booderee.

The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council's interests in Booderee are morally, ethically and legally reflected in the Council vision, the Lease, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Act 1986 (Land Grant Act).

The EPBC Act and Land Grant Act provide for traditional use of the land in the park for hunting, food gathering, ceremonial and religious purposes. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (EPBC Regulations) permit the Director of National Parks to make areas of the park available for use by the traditional owners. Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council members are committed to promoting their traditional skills and knowledge in the workplace and to park visitors.

The Lease agreement (Appendix B) places obligations on the Director of National Parks to manage the park and to promote the interests of the traditional owners. The EPBC Act, Land Grant Act and the Lease set out the terms and conditions governing joint management, and the Lease provides for payment to the Council of annual rent and a proportion of income generated by the park. The Lease covers a period of 99 years and requires the Director to discuss possible variations with the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council every five years.

The Director of National Parks is a Commonwealth statutory authority under the EPBC Act. The Director's main functions are to administer, manage and control Commonwealth reserves, including Booderee. The Director is responsible for controlling activities in Commonwealth reserves, for example by issuing permits and making determinations under the EPBC Regulations.

The Booderee Board of Management (the Board), with a majority of representatives of the traditional owners, makes decisions relating to the management of the park and, in conjunction with the Director of National Parks, prepares the management plan. Other Board members are the Director of National Parks; a representative of the Australian Government department responsible for Jervis Bay Territory; a scientist familiar with the conservation values of the Jervis Bay region; the Commanding Officer