Worimi Conservation Lands joint management program

Worimi Conservation Lands (WCL) are in the traditional Country of the Maiangal ‘ngurra’ (meaning clan) of the Worimi Nation. The lands cover 4029ha in Stockton Bight between Fern Bay and Anna Bay in Port Stephens. This includes Worimi National Park, Worimi State Conservation Area and Worimi Regional Park.

The Worimi People and NPWS jointly manage Worimi Conservation Lands, ensuring the sacred landscape and ancient cultural sites are maintained and protected for future generations.

Joint management of Worimi Country

The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) made their first land claims of Stockton Bight in the 1990s. The LALC wrote to the NSW Minister for the Environment with a joint management proposal that would recognise Aboriginal Ownership and:

• enable the land to be included in the national park reserve system
• protect the broader community’s interests
• formally acknowledge the land as Worimi Country
• provide benefits to the local Aboriginal community.

This is the first of its kind in NSW where land was not already established as NPWS estate. In 2007, the WCL Aboriginal Ownership and Leaseback Agreement was established under Part 4A of the ’National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974’. This enables the traditional custodians to make decisions about the lands their people have managed for thousands of years.

The WCL Board of Management is responsible for the care, control and management of the Worimi-owned area. It includes 13 members and 8 are registered Worimi Aboriginal Owners. The remaining members are from the Worimi LALC, local councils, conservation groups, neighbouring landholders and NPWS.

Learn more about the Board’s focus and responsibilities in the plan of management.

Key achievements

Some of the Board’s achievements for Country and community include: 

• employing 34 Board-funded jobs for Worimi and other Aboriginal people
• facilitating repatriations with community
• sharing the cost to build an office/depot equally with NPWS – a first in NSW
• developing a pedestrian-only area in the northern part of the park that is popular with families and beach-users
• creating a formal campground.

By empowering the Worimi People to make decisions for their lands, both Country and community have a chance to heal, grow and thrive.

Learn about Worimi culture

You can learn about Worimi lands and culture during your visit through a guided tour. Sand Dune Adventures, an Aboriginal-owned and operated business also hosts quad bike tours where you can learn about Worimi culture and the largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere.