Cultural Plan 2013-2016 final.pdf - Coffs Harbour City Council ...

As adopted by Council on 28 February 2013
9. History and heritage
9.1 Aboriginal arts, heritage and language
“Faced with the 'MacDonaldisation' (of tourist destinations), emphasis should be placed on
the social, cultural and natural heritage of the cities, and such heritage should be the object
of tourist attention.” 20
Aboriginal culture is of interest to both residents and visitors and the absence or perceived
absence of access to this culture is frustrating to people who would like to develop a deeper
understanding. In terms of history and heritage, the Aboriginal people of the region have
much to offer to both visitors and residents, to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Its
appropriate communication can also be a source of pride to the Aboriginal community.
Those visitors who engage in an Aboriginal cultural or heritage activity also tend to spend
more than other tourists. 21
Community consultations have consistently raised the question of access to Aboriginal
heritage in the region. A significant proportion of those consulted have talked about their
desire to show visitors aspects of local Aboriginal heritage, to see Aboriginal art and
understand something of Aboriginal language.
Aboriginal culture is an area in which the Mid North Coast has significant strengths to build
on:
The Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council is located in Coffs Harbour but also
covers much of the Bellingen and Nambucca Shires. Cultural and heritage concerns
are integral to its role and the potential for economic benefits from this heritage to the
community is very important;
The Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation (SWFW) is a regional
body for Aboriginal arts and culture on the Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia. Its
offices are based at the CHEC Campus in Coffs Harbour. SWFW is funded through
an alliance of ten Local Aboriginal Land Councils throughout the Mid North Coast
region. Amongst other projects, SWFW is working on heritage and cultural material
for the Legendary Pacific Coast project – a smartphone application which will be
launched later in the year;
20 Urban Rebranding: the reinvention of city places
21 Indigenous Tourism in Australia: profiling the domestic market, Tourism Research Australia,
Canberra, 2010
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