Me-Mel (Goat Island) Will Be Returned To Its Traditional Owners
The government will spend $43 million on restoration and clean up of the island.
The New South Wales government will return the iconic Me-Mel — also known as Goat Island — in Sydney Harbour to its traditional owners as part of a $43 million repair project.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the news on Sunday, calling it a “personal priority” of his to return the land to its rightful owners.
“Returning Me-Mel to the Aboriginal community is the right thing to do,” said Perrottet in a statement. “A big part of my commitment is ensuring the island is remediated before it’s transferred to the Aboriginal community.”
Me-Mel is largest of 13 islands located in the Sydney Harbour National Park. The island, which is protected under State Heritage listing was once used to house convict workers in the 1800s, and includes more than 30 buildings. Me-Mel was originally inhabited by husband and wife leaders of the Eora people Bennelong and Barangaroo.
A 12-person committee will be established to oversee how the land is used and managed, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) calling for expressions of interest from members of the local Indigenous community. After the transfer is complete, NPWS will maintain public access to the land.
In addition to handing the land rights back to its traditional owners, the government will spend $43 million on restoration projects to upgrade facilities, remove asbestos and fund other projects suggested by the committee.
Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council stressed the significance of the island — which is included in the Boora Birra creation story, in which the great eel spirit created the Sydney Harbour waterways.
“This is the cultural sacrament place of the Eora – this is the dreaming place for Sydney,” said Moran in a statement. “To honour its importance, its significance, and to become an Aboriginal place again where we as First Nations will be able to preserve and protect the cultural story of Sydney, and also share that with others is for us ultimately what it’s all about – trying to keep our place in society, maintain our identity and our culture.
“We look forward to having this cultural place returned to us, operated by us, but for the benefit of everyone.”
The land transfer will take place in 2026, with the funds being invested over the next four years to upgrade and maintain the island.