Aboriginal Advisory Committee - 03/06/2026

Topics

• Burial ground memorialisation talks to continue after Elders meeting
  Council has begun a staged process to formally acknowledge and memorialise the Jerry Bailey Burial Ground after meeting with about 20 Elders.
  This is a culturally significant heritage issue with clear community interest and further public consultation expected.
• Aboriginal Advisory Committee backs cultural consultation on Badagarang open space naming
  Proposed names for a new open space will go to the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council for cultural and language checks before a final decision.
  Place naming decisions affect local identity, development branding and cultural recognition in a public reserve.

Decisions

• Jerry Bailey Burial Ground project update received
  Council staff gave a verbal update on the burial ground project and reported that discussions with around 20 Elders were positive and constructive, with support for continuing staged consultation and further community engagement.
  Signals continued progress on a culturally significant local site and indicates more community consultation is expected soon.
• Committee vacancy to be filled through updated EOI
  The committee received the resignation of Ms Caryn Carpenter and noted that the current Expression of Interest process has been updated to include an additional local Aboriginal community representative position.
  Affects committee representation and how local Aboriginal community voices are included in Council advisory work.
• Badagarang Stage 3 Open Space naming consultation endorsed
  Members supported referring proposed place names to the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council and asked that the meanings and language of the names be checked before any naming decision is finalised.
  Could affect the naming of a new public open space and ensures culturally appropriate naming consultation.

Discussion

• Jerry Bailey Burial Ground memorialisation
  The CEO had met with about 20 participants, mostly Elders, to discuss the significance of the burial ground and next steps towards formal acknowledgement and memorialisation. A further meeting, including the Mayor, was anticipated around 1 July.
  Important for families, Elders and residents interested in heritage recognition and how Council responds to a long-standing community issue.
• Ongoing community communication on burial ground project
  Members stressed the need to keep the community informed as the project progresses and to follow through on commitments with tangible outcomes.
  Residents may expect more updates and consultation as the project advances.
• Naming consultation for Badagarang Stage 3 Open Space
  The committee agreed that name options should be checked with the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council, including the meanings of proposed names, before coming back to the committee for further review.
  Impacts future place naming and helps ensure cultural accuracy and respect in a public reserve naming process.

Impacts

• Potential memorialisation work at the Jerry Bailey Burial Ground may shape how the site is recognised and interpreted publicly.
• Local Aboriginal community representation on the committee may increase through the updated EOI process.
• Residents may see further consultation and a follow-up meeting on the burial ground project around 1 July.
• The new Badagarang open space may receive a culturally informed name after consultation with the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Places

• Jerry Bailey Burial Ground (site)
  Subject of consultation about acknowledgement and memorialisation.
• Badagarang Stage 3 Open Space (open space / reserve)
  Reserve naming process referred for Aboriginal community consultation.
• Nowra (town)
  Location of the meeting and the local Aboriginal land council consultation context.
• Comberton (locality)
  Referenced in the action table update as an item removed from the action register.

Next

• Consult the Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council on Badagarang naming options, meanings and language.
  Before any naming decision is finalised
• Report the outcomes of naming consultation back to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
  At a future committee meeting
• Schedule a follow-up meeting involving the Mayor and Elders on the Jerry Bailey Burial Ground project.
  Around 1 July 2026
• Progress the updated Expression of Interest process to fill the committee vacancy.
  Following receipt of Ms Caryn Carpenter's resignation

Extract

Meeting Minutes MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting Date: Wednesday, 3 June 2026 Location: Osprey & Orchid Training Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra Time: 5:17 PM The following members were present: Ms Sharlene Cruickshank – Acting Chairperson Clr Gillian Boyd Clr Debbie Killian Uncle Paul McLeod Mr Allen Bloxsome Aunty Margaret Simoes Ms Cleone Wellington (Remote) Mr Charlie Ashby (Remote) – joined at 5:27pm. Uncle Sonny Simms - Nowra LALC Others present: Ms Katie Buckman – Director – City Performance Ms Lauren Buckingham – Manager Customer and Community Services Mr Colin Moore – Aboriginal Communities Partner Ms Jessica Richardson – Lead Vibrant Commu...