My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. It is in relation to the Budj Bim master plan. Last month I had the opportunity to meet with the CEO and other leaders of the Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation in Heywood. We discussed a number of issues, with particular emphasis on the need for employment programs and funding for out-of-home care for children.
I am immensely appreciative of the time and effort Eileen Alberts from the corporation took to impart knowledge and show me three different areas — Lake Condah Mission, Lake Condah and Kurtonitj. At Lake Condah Mission I met Damein Bell from the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, who explained the work that had been undertaken leading up to the development of the Budj Bim master plan. It involved the local Indigenous communities as well as all levels of government.
The Budj Bim landscape is one of Australia’s great national heritage landscapes. It is a special place that offers unique and authentic visitor experiences of a living Indigenous culture, a history and a landscape that does not exist anywhere else. The master plan represents a vision for the conservation and sustainable use of the Budj Bim national heritage landscape for cultural, tourism and community purposes. The master plan provides an enabling framework for the government, the tourism industry and the Gunditjmara community to invest in the future development of the Budj Bim landscape.
I seek from the minister an indication of the time line for the minister’s response to this master plan, as all the stakeholders are wanting to get on with the work of implementing it. Much time and effort has gone into the plan, and now it is time for action.