A new agreement makes land at Chaffey Dam available to traditional custodians.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and WaterNSW, access is being granted for activities associated with cultural practice and connection. 

WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations North, Michelle Yeaman says the signing is a great outcome for the community.

“WaterNSW recognises First Nation communities as the traditional custodians of the areas we manage,” she said. 

“Agreements like this one demonstrate how government can manage land to deliver on infrastructure and service needs, while also being able to recognise, celebrate, and provide access to it in the appropriate cultural and historical context.”

Aunty Daisy Cutmore, Chairperson of the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, welcomed the signing as another success in delivering on the Land Council’s programs.

“The signing of this MoU with WaterNSW is an example of how the Tamworth LALC continue to be guardians and ensures our cultural heritage is maintained and passed on to our youth,” she said. 

“I am very proud that we are kicking some really good goals in our programs.”

As part of the Chaffey Dam Safety Upgrade and Augmentation project, WaterNSW prepared a biodiversity offset package to compensate for the loss of existing vegetation, threatened species or their habitat, and endangered ecological communities impacted by the project.

This included the Biodiversity Offset Area, which is the area governed by the MoU, and which has been established in accordance with the requirements of Department of Planning and Environment and Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.

“With safety and augmentation works on Chaffey Dam completed, it’s vital to recognise and compensate for the activities we undertook which led to losses for the biodiversity and communities connected to this site,” Ms Yeaman said.

The MoU was signed on 26 June 2023 and included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony provided by Uncle Len Waters. 

After the signing, Tamworth LALC and their Aboriginal Ranger Program, and WaterNSW joined with the Rural Fire Service to do a cultural burn at the offset area.

“This MoU signing is a significant event for Tamworth LALC and the Aboriginal Ranger Program and we are looking forward to learning from our elders when we are out on the offset land,” said Sam Des Forges, Operations Manager, Aboriginal Ranger Program, Tamworth LALC.