Shoppers at Erina Fair were surprised to see a group of women dressed in Mother Earth themed costumes shimmy out of the crowd to join a choreographed dance on June 10 to raise awareness about a controversial proposed development at Kariong.
Twenty-five members of the Kariong Sacred Lands Action Group performed a flash mob style dance to Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi with lyrics adapted for the occasion.
Save Kariong Sacred Lands Action group consists of local Traditional Custodians and concerned Central Coast residents determined to see state and federal governments and the Greater Cities Commission prevent the proposed development by the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC).
“We wanted to try a different way of bringing these matters to the public,” said spokesperson Lisa Bellamy.
“We thought a bit of fun and street theatre would help raise awareness about the dreadful environmental destruction happening right on our doorsteps.
“The land up at Kariong is one of these areas.
“Zoned C2 (Environmental Conservation) it is home to endangered flora and fauna species as well as a hanging swamp.
“The hanging swamp is a vital water source for the land below the ‘project area’.
“This water feeds through the Brisbane Water National Park ensuring a healthy ecosystem.”
Bellamy said the group was concerned that rezoning the bushland for housing would “create a dangerous precedent for many more hectares of vital native habitat and culturally sensitive areas all over NSW”.
Fellow group member Emily McCallum said Australia held the title for the highest extinction rates of native species in the world, with habitat loss and land clearing being key factors.
“This is truly an indictment on our society and we must work together to turn this situation around,” she said.
“Our group is deeply concerned about this private developer being supported by the government in rezoning this culturally and ecologically sensitive land to being destroyed.
“Apart from the fact the proposed development is at the crest of a fire prone area, and the community concerns about already stressed local infrastructure, this part of Kariong is listed as an Area of Regional Koala Significance.
“With our iconic koalas recently being officially listed as an endangered species, I’m truly hoping the Aussie spirit will shine through and our community will rise up before the habitat of this little Aussie battler is lost forever.”
Traditional Custodians in the group say Minister for the Central Coast David Harris has declined to meet with them over their concerns regarding the development’s proximity to sacred sites.
For more information go to https://www.savekariongsacredlands.com/
Source:
Lisa Bellamy For Kariong Sacred Lands Action Group
It’s a wonderful cause & needs to be addressed I truly hope everyone can get behind this to stop this ..
This is such an important, yet little known issue.
The Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council (DLAC) is actually a developer, who is not representative of the Aboriginal community.
Their plans to develop the land they were given, is an environmental disaster and will also wipe out the local koala population.
The land we are on is Darkinjung land NOT Darkinjung.
The true custodians of our central coast are being silenced by the Darkinjung Land Council. This site at Kariong has been fought for and won by the activists. It’s now under threat of subdivision. This type development where conservation land can be rezoned must be opposed.
Well done on bringing attention to this important issue! I hope it can be stopped.