Up in arms over proposed Kincumber development

Residents are already galvanised in opposition to a development proposed by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) in Carrak Rd, Kincumber, before a development application has even been lodged with Central Coast Council.

Many have expressed “shock” and disbelief” at the proposal to potentially lease a parcel of land adjacent Kincumber Hotel in the heart of the suburb to Woolworths for a supermarket.

The idea isn’t new.

The project was listed as a one-to-five year priority in DLALC’s Development Delivery Plan of 2022.

But a recent post on the Land Council’s Facebook page confirming that planning is proceeding has provoked hundreds of comments slamming the proposal.

Spokesperson for community group Coasties Who Care, Lisa Bellamy, said that if the community “doesn’t get on the front foot”, the proposal could see extremely sensitive bushland area lost to the bulldozers.

“Politicians and bureaucrats have expressed that DLALC’s development applications are subject to the same processes as any other development, but we passionately disagree,” she said.

“If this is indeed true, then why has special legislation been put in place to help open up highly ecologically and culturally sensitive land to development under the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP 2019) Aboriginal Land?”

She said the development could set a precedent that would have “permanent and far-reaching implications both ecologically and economically for communities across the state”.

She asked residents to urge Central Coast councillors to write to the State Government protesting the plan.

Traditional Custodian from the Darkinoong People, Renee Sales, said endangered ecological communities in the area included Swamp Sclerophyll Forest and Swamp Oak Floodplain forest.

“It is a floodplain,” she said.

“Where will all that water go if they cut down all the trees and other vegetation and fill it all in?

“It is important for the community to know that DLALC represents less than 4% of the Aboriginal community on the Central Coast, and they certainly don’t represent the Traditional Custodians from the Guringai and Darkinoong People.

“Our people loved and cared for this land for tens of thousands of years.”

Long-time Kincumber resident Colette Barron said DLALC did much good, especially in its support for Indigenous youth, elders and some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

“But their track record when it comes to the environment isn’t so good unfortunately,” she said.

“Being the largest private landowner on the Central Coast, with over 1,000 more land claims in, it’s very concerning to see the direction they are heading (in) when it comes to development.

“Our community is appealing to the people on DLALC who understand the need for caring for Country, as well as caring for community, to stop this going ahead any further.”

In a media release dated February 26 the Land Council said it would agree to terms with Woolworths and work collaboratively on a proposal for the site with the input of members and with the “best interest of our people in front of mind”.

It said any planning application for the site would be subject to a public exhibition where members of the community would have the opportunity to make a submission.

As part of any planning assessment process a series of reports would be required, including environmental reports, it said.

“It is important to note any proposal will be located on a small part of the land,” the release said.

“The majority will remain bushland.”

The release said the Land Council would have a better understanding of timeframes over coming months.

It also reiterated DLALC’s commitment to “ensuring a better future for Darkinjung people through principles of self-determination, sovereignty and achieving greater socio-economic prosperity for Aboriginal communities”.

“As we move forward, we encourage the wider community to respect our process and understand that our focus is on uplifting Aboriginal voices,” the release said.

Central Coast councillor Jared Wright said any development application received would be managed via the usual planning channels.

He stressed that Carrak Reserve, to the north of the three proposed development lots and fronting Avoca Dr, was owned by Crown Land NSW and Council has care and control over it.

The proposal is for three privately-owned lots to the south of this site, which go through to Kincumber Broadwater.

He said all of the parcels, and the majority of the land (particularly on the land owned by the private landowner), are affected by the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability Flood and Endangered Ecological Communities (namely Swam Sclerophyll Forest and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest).

He said Council had not yet been advised of any proposals to sell or develop the land.

Terry Collins