Joint Management
'I think Aboriginal people and Parks Australia have been working together really well...
the traditional owners and Parks Australia are experts
the way we look after our great national park for all Aboriginal people
and for the people of Australia and overseas visitors to come and see and enjoy.'
- Yami Lester - Board Chairman 1986 - 1996
On 26 October 1985, the Governor General Sir Ninian Stephen presented the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park title deeds back to Anangu, the traditional owners.
In return Anangu leased the lands back to the Australian Government through the Director of National Parks (formerly the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service) for 99 years. The Director is assisted by Parks Australia (a division of the Department of the Environment and Water Resources). Since hand-back, Anangu and Parks Australia staff have worked together to manage the Park. This process of working together has come to be known as 'joint management'.
All management policy and programs aim to:
- maintain Anangu culture and heritage
- conserve and protect the integrity of the ecological systems in and around the Park
- provide for visitor enjoyment and learning opportunities within the Park.
Tjukurpa, Anangu traditional law, knowledge and religious philosophy, guides everything that happens in the Park - as it has done for thousand of years.
This concept is expressed on the cover of the Plan of Management by the words:
'Tjukurpa Katutja Ngarantja'
Tjukurpa above all else
