Sydney Harbour Goat Island, Me-Mel, to be handed back to Indigenous Australians 

A heritage-listed island in the middle of Sydney Harbour is one step closer to being returned to Aboriginal ownership.

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Saturday shared a photo of him signing a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to Me-Mel, known as Goat Island.

The small island sits in the heart of the harbour, northwest of Barangaroo Reserve, and is only accessible to the public through guided tours.

Mr Minns signed the document alongside the dedicated Me-Mel Transfer Committee, with $43million having already been committed to clean up and restore the island over the next four years.

‘The island will be a symbol of reconciliation in the heart of Sydney Harbour,’ the premier said.

‘We are listening to the Aboriginal community through this process. That is what the signing of this agreement is all about.

‘I thank the previous government and its former premiers for their commitment to this project over many years.

‘We are proud to continue this work with the committee.’

NSW Premier Chris Minns on Saturday shared a photo (above) of him signing a Memorandum of Understanding alongside the dedicated Me-Mel Transfer Committee

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran had earlier explained the historical significance of Me-Mel to the Indigenous community, saying the island is the ‘centre of the cultural story of Sydney’.

The island was once the home of famous Cammeraygal woman Barangaroo who was influential in early communication between Indigenous communities and white settlers.

Me-Mel was also used as a home for convict work gangs and gunpowder storage during the 1800s, and currently has about 30 buildings.

The island was once the home of famous Cammeraygal woman Barangaroo who was influential in early communication between Indigenous communities and white settlers

Its most famous structure, the Queen’s Magazine, was built from sandstone in the 1830s by convicts and used to store explosives.  

It was during that decade people from the Wangal, Gadigal, and Cammeraygal clan groups were forced to leave Me-Mel. 

The island also features a historic barracks, cooperage and kitchen.

In recent years it has been used as a shipyard, concert venue and film location.

Me-Mel was also used as a home for convict work gangs and gunpowder storage during the 1800s, and currently has about 30 buildings