Sydney Harbour's largest island to be returned to Indigenous ownership

A historical island in Sydney Harbour will formally be handed back to local First Nations peoples, representing a significant milestone in the history of Indigenous land rights.

Me-Mel Island is being transferred back into Aboriginal hands. Source: SBS News / John Yurasek/DPE

A Sydney Harbour island is returning to Indigenous hands, allowing First Nations people to "preserve, protect and share" the city's cultural story.

The NSW government is committing $43 million to the clean-up and repair of Me-Mel, also known as Goat Island, before it's transferred to its traditional owners as a "personal priority", Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Sunday.

"A big part of my commitment is ensuring the island is remediated before it's transferred to the Aboriginal community," he said.

"This island has set dormant for many, many years...but we've not made any steps forward until today."

Mr Perrottet said the island would be opened up to the public for them to learn more about First Nations heritage.

The island was once inhabited by Bennelong and Barangaroo of the Eora Nation. Source: SBS News / David Finnegan/DPE

The funding will help repair seawalls and buildings, improve wharf access, upgrade services and remove contaminants like asbestos over the next four years.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is calling for expressions of interest to join a committee making recommendations about the transfer of Me-Mel to Aboriginal ownership, which is expected to be completed within four years.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Franklin said the Me-Mel Transfer Committee includes Aboriginal people and representatives of NSW government agencies.

"Me-Mel holds great significance to Aboriginal people, including in the creation story Boora Birra, where the great eel spirit created the water courses known today as Sydney Harbour," he said.

The island marks the start of an EORA songline – it’s the creation site for Sydney Harbour. Source: SBS News / David Finnegan/DPE

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran said the island is a place for people to be within their culture, pass stories to the next generation and share with others.

"This is the cultural sacrament place of the Eora - this is the dreaming place for Sydney," he said.

"To honour its importance, its significance, and to become an Aboriginal place again where we as First Nations will be able to preserve and protect the cultural story of Sydney, and also share that with others is for us ultimately what it's all about - trying to keep our place in society, maintain our identity and our culture.

"We look forward to having this cultural place returned to us, operated by us, but for the benefit of everyone."

Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Source: SBS News / NITV

The island is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and has a range of important Aboriginal, historical and natural values including more than 30 buildings and other structures from the 1830s to 1960s.

"Me-mel" is a Gadigal word for "eye".

Colonial records document Wangal man Bennelong who said Me-mel or Goat Island was his inheritance, handed down to him by his father, who was born on the island.

It’s the largest island in Sydney Harbour, located just north of Darling Harbour opposite the new Barangaroo Reserve.

The NPWS will continue to manage Me-Mel until the transfer is finalised and will maintain public access to the island.