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34. Investigate opportunities to extend Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to include parts of Currawong and Mackerel Beach in order to protect sites of Aboriginal and early European cultural significance

This option involves DECC (NPWS) considering the inclusion of certain parts of the western foreshore (eg Currawong, parts of Mackerel Beach) into Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Areas considered for inclusion would have special significance from an indigenous or early European cultural viewpoint. This would include land zoned for Existing Recreation and Reservation County Open Space and areas considered by the local Aboriginal people as special women’s places.

Responsibility: It is not intended to purchase land as part of this option, but for existing public land owners (Council, State) to exchange and/or dedicate the land to maximise the area of National Park and thereby afford the highest level of protection to the natural environment as well as items/areas of heritage significance.

35. Raise community awareness regarding former land occupation by the Aboriginal peoples and the importance of the estuary to the contemporary Aboriginal community

The Pittwater estuary, within the Gu-ring-gah homelands, holds intrinsic heritage and resource values for the Indigenous people who occupied the lands. This option involves increasing awareness of the general community about the former land occupation by these people, through interpretative signage around the estuary and catchment, periodic education displays and other communication techniques. For example, Council signs could display words reflecting connection to the local Aboriginal landowners (eg “part of the Guringah homelands”).

Responsibility: Council would implement this option, however extensive consultation with the local Aboriginal communities would need to be conducted first to ensure their input and support of the content and methods of delivery.

36. Conduct a formal Aboriginal sites assessment of areas around Pittwater to identify and record areas that are significant to the local Aboriginal people

A detailed formal record of Aboriginal sites of heritage significance around the Pittwater estuary should be prepared. All Aboriginal sites are protected under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, however, unless those sites are properly identified and recorded, protection is difficult.

Responsibility: DECC (NPWS) is responsible for collating information regarding Aboriginal heritage sites, and should work with the local Aboriginal people and Council to develop and update the sites register.

37. Assess further the historical significance of non-indigenous sites around the waterway to ensure that future development does not destroy valuable pieces of history

It is reported that not all of Pittwater’s numerous sites of non-indigenous heritage are identified on Council planning instruments or protected by Council’s development controls. All sites of significance to European heritage should be identified, assessed and registered with Council so that they are considered when assessing future development applications and broad scale planning options.

Responsibility: Council would implement this option, and assistance could be sought from local historical societies and/or NSW Heritage Council.

38. Carry out regular repairs / rehabilitation of historic items to preserve them in perpetuity

It is likely that many sites of historical significance (primarily European heritage) have become degraded with time. Some of these sites are still used on a regular basis (eg wharves and seawalls) and in some cases, may represent a public risk. This option involves Council carrying out repairs to these structures to ensure their integrity, or restoring currently degraded structures / sites as show-pieces of former usage and estuary based activities.

Responsibility: Council would primarily be responsible for repairs and restoration of historical items / structures, with DECC and Department of Lands also partially responsible for structures below the high water mark (ie on Crown Land)