Local Land Services Cultural Brokers

Local Land Services Cultural Brokers work with organisations and communities to share knowledge and build cultural competency for better environmental and sustainable agriculture outcomes.  

The image shows a group of people standing outdoors in a wooded area with trees and sunlight filtering through. There is smoke rising from a small fire or smoldering object on the ground, and the people are gathered around it. Some of the individuals are standing while others appear to be observing or interacting with the fire. The ground is covered with dry leaves and pine needles, and there is a structure with a roof visible in the background on the right side of the image.
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A Cultural Broker is available in each Local Land Services region to provide cultural connection services that:

  • build cultural competency in their region
  • identify areas of mutual benefit between First Nations communities and Local Land Services regarding matters such as natural resource management (NRM) planning, environmental protection and sustainable agriculture services
  • engage in collaborative activities with, and seek feedback from, local First Nations organisations.  

Cultural Brokers play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering innovative programs and policies in partnership with Aboriginal communities. 

By fostering strong collaboration, they support meaningful capacity building and create opportunities for Aboriginal people across a broad range of land and community-focused areas.

Connect with your Cultural Broker

You can contact your regional Cultural Broker by calling Local Land Services on 1300 795 299. 

On-ground outcomes and highlights

South Coast Aboriginal Rangers Conference 

Cultural Brokers supported the planning and delivery of the first Aboriginal rangers conference in the South East. The 3-day event brought together 9 ranger groups from Local Aboriginal Land Councils between Wollongong and Eden to share knowledge, strengthen connections and build skills in caring for Country. 

Workshops focused on teaching rangers how to best take care of Country by combining cultural knowledge from Elders with new technology. Training included cultural mapping and site protection, weed and pest management, cultural burning and using emerging technologies such as virtual reality and thermal drones. The conference highlighted the important role Aboriginal rangers play in protecting cultural heritage, creating employment pathways and passing knowledge to future generations.

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South Coast Aboriginal Rangers Conference 2026

VR cultural training

Cultural Brokers are supporting the delivery of virtual reality (VR) cultural training in their local communities. Participants have the opportunity to use VR headsets to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern conservation. 

This interactive technology offers a novel way to recognise Aboriginal cultural features in the landscape, helping to protect these significant sites. 

The training includes the chance to experience cultural learning and understand Due Diligence, not just through traditional storytelling and connecting to Country, but through a digital lens using virtual reality. ​

Three seated people wearing VR goggles. A woman with short hair wearing a blue shirt with NSW Govt logo is helping the man in the middle to fit his headset. An Aboriginal man wearing a cap is standing behind them and smiling.

Culture on Country

Several Traditional Owner-led cultural and environmental protection community events and workshops have been delivered with support from Cultural Brokers, including a 4-day Culture on Country camp in the Upper Hunter. The camp brought together LALC groups and different mob to share knowledge and skills. Activities focused on kinship connections, cultural harvesting, resource use and preparing Country for cultural fire.

Various groups of Aboriginal people sitting on chairs or picnic blankets in a loose circle. They are gathered in a grassy plain with trees and mountains in the background. Several 4WD vehicles are in the background.

Traditional Fire Practitioner training

In the Central Tablelands region, a 3-year training package has empowered Aboriginal participants and restored Cultural Fire to the landscape. 

Collaborating with the Cultural Broker Network strengthened the collection of traditional ecological knowledge, enhanced fire implementation skills, and supported cultural burning practices to improve land management and biodiversity outcomes.

A group of Aboriginal people, some wearing hi-vis shirts, standing in bush area with light tree coverage

Read more about Cultural burning.

Conservation and Ecosystem Management training

In partnership with Tocal College, Aboriginal community members in the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services region completed a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (Indigenous Land Management). 

Students took part in hands-on land management activities including fencing, chainsaw work, chemical application, biosecurity and cultural burning, while also reconnecting deeply with Country through cultural practice, story and heritage discovery. 

A group of Aboriginal people proudly holding certificates outside a Local Land Services office with staff.

Funding

Cultural Brokers are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust.

The Australian Government is committed to building and strengthening connections with First Nations peoples and organisations. 

Contact Local Land Services NSW

We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.  Contact our team

Find your nearest LLS office

Use the search function to find information or resources from Local Land Services.

Phone:1300 795 299
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