Community and committee

Harbour Trust Community Advisory Committee exploring Cockatoo Island's Convict Prison

The Harbour Trust engages with the community via a range of channels, guided by our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy.

We actively engage with community through our Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the First Nations Advisory Group (FNAG). Both groups play a key role for the Harbour Trust in ensuring that broad community interest and opinions are heard and represented within the management of our sites.

The Harbour Trust also engages community through consultation when undertaking any proposed planning on Trust land as per the obligations outlined in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001.

Published in 2022, our Stakeholder Engagement Strategy outlines our approach to engaging with a diverse set of community stakeholders. This strategy is assisting us to fulfil our vision, which includes making our protected places accessible to diverse audiences, amplifying their heritage values through storytelling and – through their conservation, remediation, and adaptive reuse – fostering a sense of place and belonging. 

The Harbour Trust consults with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), established in accordance with Part 8 (Section 57) of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001. Our CAC offers balanced advice and recommendations to assist us with making informed decisions about our sites. Each CAC member contributes to the creation and maintenance of vibrant places on the world’s best harbour.

CAC members

Ex-officio members 

  • Ian Clarke

  • Evalyn Fechner

  • Richard De Grijs

  • Hannah Griffiths

  • Clive Hassett

  • Stuart King

  • Ken Knox

  • Chido Mauwa

  • Jay Ryves

  • Lauren Schutz

  • Guy Sturt

  • Michelle Washington

  • Cr Zoë Baker, Mayor of North Sydney

  • CMDR Kent Browning, HMAS Penguin

  • Cr Sue Heins, Mayor of Northern Beaches

  • Cr Ann Kimber, Mayor of Mosman

  • Jerome Laxale MP, Member for Bennelong

  • Cr Zac Miles, Mayor of Hunter’s Hill

  • The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Member for Sydney

  • Allegra Spender MP, Member for Wentworth

  • Zali Steggall MP, Member for Warringah

  • Cr Sarah Swan, Mayor of Woollahra

Further information

As part of a commitment to acknowledging, respecting and working alongside First Nations people, the Harbour Trust established a First Nations Advisory Group in October 2023. The members of this group are assisting us to create an environment where Traditional Owners are able to strengthen their connection with Harbour Trust sites; First Nations peoples feel welcome at the places we protect; and members of the broader Australian community can learn about – and engage with – the First Nations peoples’ historic and ongoing connection to Sydney Harbour.

The members of the First Nations Advisory Group are:

  • Alison Page (Chair)

  • Donna Daly

  • Chris Ingrey (La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council)

  • Bryce Liddle

  • Jessie Longbottom

  • Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

  • Lloyd Walker

  • Peter White

Further information
  • First Nations Advisory Group Meeting Notes (See: Publications)

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the lands, waters and sky of Sydney Harbour, including the extraordinary places we manage and protect. Today, the homelands of the Borogegal, Birrabirragal, Cammeraygal, Gadigal, Gayamagal, Wallumedegal and Wangal peoples host destinations under our stewardship. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

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