Damage at Sandon Point

BY NICOLE HILDER

WOLLONGONG — In an eight-page glossy brochure delivered to northern Illawarra residents in May, Stocklands describes itself as "one of the most respected development and investment groups in Australia". Yet its Sandon Point development is destroying a 4000-year-old Indigenous tool-making site and a ceremonial gathering place. It will also cut access, via an ancient dreaming track, to a 6000-year-old burial site of a kuradji (clever fella).

On July 16, the NSW Land and Environment Court dismissed an injunction sought by Aboriginal elder Allan Carriage to stop work on the site. Stocklands has carried out earthworks beyond the boundaries it is permitted by an act dealing with Aboriginal heritage.

In its defence, the company is claiming that the damage was "inadvertent", but it occurred on land Stocklands had unsuccessfully proposed to build upon. Stocklands' archaeologist Kelvin Officer told the court that there was no loss to the scientific community because a significant amount of Indigenous artefacts had already been salvaged.

Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy spokesperson Roy Kennedy said that giving Stocklands the right to destroy Aboriginal heritage is racist.

Australian Democrats member Rick Fareley was contracted by Wollongong City Council in January to facilitate between Stocklands and the community. The "Fareley Report", handed to the council on June 24, noted that the community expects the council to undertake independent reports on the development and not rely on those commissioned by Stocklands. The council has failed to do this. The report also recommended a further $25,000 be allocated to consultancy to help set up a review committee.

Monitoring the development is difficult because the company has refused to get the council to certify that the development complies with regulations, and instead has employed a private certifier.

Local residents want a regional park to be created along the foreshores from Thirroul to Kiama, which would be possible if the state government purchased Sandon point. However, planning minister Andrew Refshauge claims there are no available funds.

For more information check out < http://www.sandon-A HREF="mailto:point.org.au"><point.org.au> or phone Cate Wilson on (02) 4229 0649.

From Green Left Weekly, July 24, 2002.

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From GLW issue 501