More than 70 people gathered at Bulgandry Aboriginal place on Woy Woy Rd, Kariong on Sunday, January 21, to support traditional custodians in protecting Kariong sacred lands.
The group was meeting for the final time before submissions close on January 29 on rezoning of adjacent land to make way for a housing development.
Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA) spokesperson Jake Cassar said there was a good turnout of supporters, including many Kariong locals, despite extreme heat.
“It was great to have Guringai Elder Tracey Howie there to discuss the importance of caring for the land and all the life that it protects,” he said.
The group was also joined by internationally acclaimed photographer Ken Duncan, who has been supporting the cause to protect the Aboriginal sites in the area for some time.
“The opportunity to oppose the rezoning of this land to stop the developer’s bulldozers closes on January 29.
“If this rezoning goes ahead and the developer Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council (DLALC) succeeds, it will set a dangerous precedent that could have permanent and far-reaching implications for our environment.
“If DLALC can claim any Crown reserves, and be assisted by the government in rezoning it and either developing it or selling it off, the results with be disastrous for the environment and for Australia’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.
“As someone who deeply cares about our local environment and Indigenous heritage, I want to congratulate every person who made a stand for Kariong sacred lands.
“While it’s disappointing that we had literally zero support from our elected leaders, our community came together once again to protect and defend the place we all have the privilege to call home.”