Darkinjung

The Darkinjung are the Local Aboriginal Land Council in the Central Coast, New South Wales, participating in formal joint management of some areas of state forest in the region. It represents over 450 local Aboriginal residents. The Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council are caretakers of the Central Coast of NSW Australia.

The Darkinjung LALC since its creation under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW ALR Act) has been located on the Central Coast of New South Wales its boundaries stretch from Catherine Hill Bay to the North, Hawkesbury River to the South, Pacific Ocean to the East and Watagan Mountains to the West.

Since its creation Darkinjung LALC has constantly focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the community. The Council achieves this objective by implementing policies and procedures through the operational functions of an Aboriginal Land Council, and in accordance with the NSW ALR Act.

Darkinjung is one of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) in NSW.

The traditional boundaries of Darkinjung (Darkinyung) land extend from the Hawkesbury River in the south, Lake Macquarie in the north, the McDonald River and Wollombi up to Mt Yengo in the west and the Pacific Ocean in the East.

Darkinjung LALC works with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW NPWS) to ensure that all discovered sites are recorded and registered with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and updated in the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) Database. Working with both NSW NPWS and OEH ensures the protection of habitats, ecosystems, plant and animal species, significant geological features and land forms and protects icons and sites of national significance.

Darkinjung LALC works with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations, carrying out legislation to protect Aboriginal Cultural and Heritage. Such organisations include: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, State Forest NSW, Central Coast Hunter Range Regional Aboriginal Co-Management Committee, Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Aboriginal Reference Group, Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils, Water Catchment Authorities, TransGrid & AusGrid.

Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council represents the interests of the Aboriginal residents of the Darkinjung lands.