Dozens of women from local community groups came together on Friday, September 8, outside the office of Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch to gain support for protecting what is known as Kariong Sacred Lands.
A proposed development by Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) could see 70 houses built on culturally and ecologically sensitive land currently zoned C2 – the highest environmental protection private land can receive.
Representatives from Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA), The Indigenous Party of Australia, the Animal Justice Party, Central Coast Regional Group and the Central Coast Environmental Advocacy Committee (CCEAC) attended with placards.
CEA spokesperson Emma French said there was a great turnout of passionate women from diverse backgrounds who all shared one common vision to protect and care for our precious wilderness areas on the Central Coast.
“We are hoping that by coming together as women to appeal to our State Member, we might inspire Liesl to support protecting Kariong Sacred Lands over the wants and need of a private land developer,” she said.
Darkinoong/Yuin Elder Aunty Colleen Fuller said it was heartening to see such an amazing line-up of inspirational women speaking at the event.
“As someone with cultural ties to the Central Coast, to know that we have the support of the broader community makes me feel hopeful for the future,” she said.
“If DLALC is able to rezone and bulldoze this part of Kariong Sacred Lands with threatened species, endangered wetlands and cultural heritage, literally nowhere is safe.”
Kariong resident and CCEAC spokesperson Lisa Bellamy said the problems of today couldn’t be solved using the same thinking that created them.
“Surely, with everything we know about the need for green spaces, for the planet’s health, and our own wellbeing, we can find creative solutions to address the need for housing instead of doing what we have always done and carve our way through more bushland,” she said.
More information about the proposed development at Kariong and another local environmental issue – logging in Ourimbah State Forest – will be available at an event to be held by Community Voice Australia on Saturday, September 16, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre.
Source:
Coast Environmental Alliance