State Heritage Register listing for Sydney’s Badangi, a hidden cultural gem
Badangi, a unique, natural landscape on the northern bank of Sydney Harbour, has been listed on the State Heritage Register.
The 48-hectare site has a rich Aboriginal history with evidence of Gammaraygal occupation and is one of the few remaining natural landscapes in public ownership on Sydney Harbour.
The heritage listing has been supported by Crown Lands to help protect a number of public foreshore parklands and reserves around the Greenwich and Wollstonecraft peninsulas, including Berry Island Reserve, Badangi Reserve, Manns Point, Holloway Park, Greendale Park, Smoothey Park and Gore Cove Reserve, and some nearby waterways.
This listing recognises the area’s deep links to the Gammaraygal people and the extraordinary cultural heritage found within the site, including shell middens, grinding grooves and rock engravings.
It also protects public ownership of Sydney Harbour's foreshore for ecological and recreational purposes.
Over the years, Badangi’s natural and recreational values have made it a popular destination for locals, tourists and artists, with many renowned painters and photographers choosing to capture this unique place.
Listing Badangi on the State Heritage Register is an important step in preserving the history and culture of NSW.
Not only does it protect the significance of the place and its associated stories, but it provides a platform for local communities to share and celebrate this cultural heritage into the future.
The NSW Government is proud to protect this legacy for future generations.
More information can be found on the Heritage NSW website.
Minister for Heritage, The Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC:
“Badangi provides a valuable natural space in a highly urbanised city for us to engage with landscape, nature, Aboriginal culture and spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
“The breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River have been captured by many renowned artists throughout history, from Arthur Streeton’s impressionist seascapes to Harold Cazneaux’s stunning photographs.”
Frank Howarth, Chair, Heritage Council of NSW:
“Protecting more harbour foreshore will provide an attractive natural place for both residents and tourists to enjoy.
“It’s also important to protect the Aboriginal cultural heritage found within this extraordinary site, including ancient relics like shell middens, grinding grooves and rock engraving adorning the shores of Berry Island.”
Nathan Moran, CEO, Metropolitan LALC:
“Metropolitan LALC believes there is great importance of the Berry Island area, and in respecting the Gammaraygal who are and always will be the respected cultural leaders of the area.
“It was they who led Yoola Ba Ding annual ceremonies (initiations) on Gadigal Nura (Country).”
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW:
"The listing of Badangi is a significant achievement in that it protects a landscape grouping of exceptional heritage value, informed by a rigorous process of identification and assessment for landscape heritage.
“Australian Institute of Landscape Architects commends this recognition of the need to conserve not only iconic structures, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but importantly entire landforms, harbour waters and their network of parklands, as places for future generations to enjoy.”