Peat Island and Mooney Mooney is a place of great significance, especially to Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities, the local community and those with links to Peat Island’s institutional past.
In 2021 Property and Development NSW sought approval to rezone Peat Island and Mooney Mooney for new land uses to revitalise this treasured location through an activated foreshore and open spaces, community facilities, new homes and job opportunities.
We consulted widely and listened to the community’s views to develop a planning proposal that aimed to recognise and protect the site’s significant Aboriginal and European heritage.
The proposal was lodged with Central Coast Council and placed on public exhibition for an extended three-month period, from 20 September to 20 December 2021, to give the community and other interested stakeholders time to review, consider and respond.
After careful consideration of the submissions and feedback , the planning proposal was withdrawn while the next steps in the revitalisation of this much-loved area are determined.
Peat Island’s Aboriginal history and institutional past
In October 2022, a Deed of Agreement for the pending transfer of ownership of Peat Island to the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council was executed.
The land council had submitted a land claim for Peat Island and seeks to use it to further economic and cultural opportunities for the local Aboriginal community and all Australians.
The land council is considering the possible development of an Aboriginal Discovery Centre, Indigenous Walking Path and cultural tourism opportunities that will capture and help preserve the area’s rich Aboriginal cultural heritage in ways that will also respect Peat Island’s past institutional use.
Any proposed future development and works on Peat Island and Mooney Mooney will be subject to separate planning assessment processes which will include extensive public consultation.
Next steps
PDNSW will work with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council to help realise its vision for Peat Island to be used in ways that will create economic and cultural opportunities for the local Aboriginal population and for all Australians.
We will also be undertaking maintenance work on the island and its associated foreshore sites at Mooney Mooney which will continue over coming months, including vegetation clearing on the mainland, the demolition of non-heritage-listed derelict structures to address significant health and safety risks, and the clean-up of debris on the island.
Background
- In late 2016 a revised planning proposal was lodged with Central Coast Council.
- In March 2017, the council endorsed the planning proposal, which was then lodged with the former Department of Planning.
- A gateway determination was achieved on 10 August 2017, subject to conditions.
- Extensive technical studies, public and other stakeholder consultation and public hearings were undertaken.
- In September 2021, a planning proposal to rezone Peat Island and affiliated lands at Mooney Mooney to allow a mix of public and community space, cultural tourism and residential land uses was lodged with Central Coast Council.
- The proposal was placed on public exhibition for an extended three-month period, supported by additional community information webinars and a drop-in session.
- In May 2022, the the planning proposal was withdrawn.
- In October 2022, a Deed of Agreement for the pending transfer of ownership for Peat Island to Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council was executed.
Peat Island and Mooney Mooney Community Reference Group
The Community Reference Group’s role is to help guide the future use of community facilities and public spaces as part of the revitalisation of Peat Island and Mooney Mooney. This community forum is chaired by former Federal Government Minister and Mooney Mooney resident, Jim Lloyd. Members have been selected with different roles and interests in the community.