Arabic version: مجلس خليج الحطام يستعد لإدارة حديقة بوديري الوطنية بشكل منفرد

The Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council is preparing to take sole management of Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, marking a significant shift in the park’s governance. This transition will officially occur in May 2028, as announced during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the park’s handback to the traditional owners.

According to ABC News, Beverley Ardler, chair of the Joint Board for Booderee, confirmed the plans during the anniversary event held at Green Patch. The Wreck Bay community will become the first of the three jointly managed parks in Australia to operate independently of Parks Australia.

Currently, Booderee National Park is one of three Aboriginal-owned and jointly managed Commonwealth parks in Australia, alongside Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks. The joint management model allows traditional owners and Parks Australia to collaboratively care for the land. However, the Wreck Bay community has expressed readiness to take full control sooner than the originally agreed timelines.

During the celebrations, community members highlighted the significance of this transition, emphasizing themes of identity, self-determination, and cultural continuity. Park manager George Brown, a member of the Wreck Bay community, reflected on the historical importance of the land handover and the journey toward this moment.

In addition to the management announcement, the event featured cultural performances and the launch of a new oral history book titled “Bugiya, Nhaway, Buraadja,” which captures the stories of the Wreck Bay community. This book aims to preserve and share the cultural heritage of the area as the community progresses towards sole management of the park.