Aboriginal Community Groups

Local Land Services is a regional-focused NSW Government agency delivering quality customer services to farmers, landholders and the wider community.

We help people make better decisions about the land they manage and assist rural and regional communities to be profitable and sustainable into the future.

Greater Sydney is one of eleven LLS regions, managed by local boards that cover NSW. Each region is accountable for delivering services that add value to local industries, enhance natural resources, protect industries from pests and disease, and help communities respond to emergencies like flood, fire and drought.

At Local Land Services, we support Aboriginal people to care for Country, share traditional land management and ecological knowledge, and help protect and strengthen Aboriginal cultural heritage.

In delivery of strategic and operational outcomes, Greater Sydney LLS is guided by local engagement with Aboriginal (First Nations) Communities led by the local Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG). This guidance alongside state-wide and local planning approaches aims to empower First Nations communities in continuing to Care for Country, enrich culture and strengthen connections for current and future generations.

Acknowledgement of Country

Greater Sydney LLS acknowledges we operate in and deliver services throughout Country of First Nations* people in the Greater Sydney Region. Greater Sydney LLS recognises First Nations people hold a continuous and deep connection to Country and this in turn holds significance to the broader community.

For First Nations people, Country takes in everything within the physical, cultural and spiritual landscape.  It includes landforms, waters, air, trees, rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, the sky and sea as well as sacred places. It includes cultural practice, kinship, knowledge, ceremony, songs, stories and art, as well as spiritual beings, and people: past, present and future.

Greater Sydney LLS recognises and respects Elders and cultural knowledge holders, both past and present, while acknowledging and respecting the unique and diverse enduring cultures and histories of all First Nations people.

Greater Sydney LLS recognises that Caring for Country, the protection and promotion of First Nations cultures, heritage, land management practices and spiritual beliefs are paramount to the relationship with Country and that this benefits the whole community. By supporting self-determined futures and strengthening cultural values for First Nations people, Greater Sydney LLS can contribute towards improved relationships and resilient sustainable communities in the region.

(*Please note: the term First Nations people and communities, honours the unique physical and spiritual relationships to Country and acknowledges the diversity of cultural, social, economic and political structures held by the distinct First Nations of this continent.)

‘Country, Culture, Connections’ – GS LLS Aboriginal Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026

In 2021 GS LLS and the AAG undertook a review of its strategic approach to interacting with First Nations communities and developing meaningful outcomes for communities and Country. Over the period since, careful consideration and honing has occurred to ensure the proposed directions are achievable, with the intention of short to medium term actions that create longer term initiatives and outcomes.

This strategic plan builds on the outcomes delivered under the GS LLS Aboriginal Participation Plan 2016 – 2021 as well as anticipating delivery of localised responses to broader LLS plans including but not limited to the State-Wide LLS Aboriginal Engagement Strategy, Natural Resource Management (NRM) Framework and the GS LLS Strategic Plan.

Download a copy of the ‘Country, Culture, Connections PDF, 1872.01 KB’ – GS LLS Aboriginal Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026.

GS LLS Aboriginal Participation Plan 2016 - 2021 Outcomes Report

In conjunction with the development of the refreshed strategic plan, GS LLS with input from the AAG undertook a comprehensive review of the Aboriginal Participation Plan (APP) which concluded in June 2021. The review considered the objectives and strategies set in the plan as well as the activities undertaken. The recognition of highlights resulting from the delivery of the APP has been identified as well as recommendations to assist GS LLS in future planning, including informing directions and actions in the ‘Country, Culture, Connections’ strategic plan.

The great work that occurred over the period has been detailed in the GS LLS Aboriginal Participation Plan 2016 - 2021 Outcomes and Achievements Report.

Through the outcomes report GS LLS reflects on and acknowledges the dedication and work of past Aboriginal Community Officers, alongside previous and present AAG members and former and current GS LLS staff. GS LLS also recognises the participation of various Aboriginal Community members, groups and organisations that achieved outcomes on behalf of their communities.

GS LLS Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG)

The AAG is a local community advisory group established under the Local Land Services Act. 2013 for the Greater Sydney LLS Board.  The AAG was founded to progress activities within its charter including consultation with First Nations people on the strategic direction of Greater Sydney LLS and make appropriate recommendations to the Board. The inclusion of Aboriginal community engagement at both a state and local level is a highly important aspect for Greater Sydney LLS and with the guidance of the local AAG, Greater Sydney LLS can achieve inclusive outcomes in its business through advice on the engagement of Aboriginal communities.

Within the Greater Sydney region there is a complex and multi-layered Aboriginal community, therefore Greater Sydney LLS actively seeks guidance and collaboration through the AAG to shape and deliver its outcomes. Through the AAG, strategies, plans and projects are carefully and culturally considered, so outcomes on Country assist First Nations communities to realise meaningful and achievable results.