Aboriginal Reference Advisory Group

Aboriginal Reference Advisory Group

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is striving to boost Aboriginal cultural awareness and enhance engagement throughout our communities. We place significant emphasis on Aboriginal culture in our planning and investment to ensure that our primary industry and natural resource management advice and information is culturally valuable.

The Northern Tablelands is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage. The Aboriginal community holds valuable knowledge about natural resource management that can be shared with the broader community to contribute to the sustainable future of our landscape.

It is the desire of the Aboriginal Community and the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services to undertake effective two way communication and consultation to ensure that Aboriginal cultural heritage values are incorporated into all aspects of the landscape and are visible, understood and appreciated.

The Aboriginal Reference Advisory Group (ARAG) was established in 2007 under the Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority to create a formal platform for feedback and advice and continues under the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services. The ARAG actively enhances partnerships, investment and opportunities for Aboriginal development and protects and maintains Aboriginal cultural heritage on the Tablelands. It also ensures that the integrity of Aboriginal traditional knowledge is respected in the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and in the information and advice it delivers.

The ARAG is made up of representatives from the Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the Northern Tablelands region:

• Amaroo (Walcha)
• Thungutti (Bellbrook)
• Armidale
• Guyra
• Anaiwan (inverell/Tingha)
• Ashford
• Guyra
• Glen Innes
• Moombahlene (Tenterfield)
• Jubullum (Drake/Tabulam)
• Toomelah