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New park plan offers opportunities

31 October 2008

The Mannum Aboriginal community will explore tourism and educational opportunities within nearby Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park under a new park management plan launched by the State Government.

Environment and Conservation Minister Jay Weatherill says the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park Management plan will ensure that the park's heritage is preserved for future generations, as well as guide economic and educational prospects for the area.

"Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park is a place of great cultural significance to the descendants of the Nganuraku and Ngaiwang people," Mr Weatherill says.

"It is well known for its extensive rock engravings and other important cultural heritage, so it is essential we have a comprehensive management plan for the future.

"This new plan is designed to protect sites and objects of significance to Aboriginal people and their culture, while also making allowances for these sites to be enjoyed by the 1,500 people who visit the park each year."

Ngaut Ngaut is currently co-managed by the Department for Environment and Heritage with the assistance of the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association Incorporated.

Under the new management plan, the Association will be able to develop awareness of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the wider community through tourism opportunities and school visits.

"We've had a co-management place for some time, under which the traditional owners manage the park in partnership with the local regional DEH staff," Mr Weatherill says.

"But the new plan spells out in a much more detail, how we can manage the park into the future, run a successful cultural tourism operation and protect Aboriginal sites and objects of significance."

"The Association worked closely with DEH in the development of this plan and were consulted at every stage of the project."