The Leads’ debut single Trace takes aim at developments on historical Indigenous sites at Deebing Springs

A ’90s alternative Brisbane band have reformed with a new single that protests a controversial development on the site of a former Indigenous mission. LISTEN NOW

The Leads singer Kellie Holmes

A ’90s alternative Brisbane band have reformed with a new single that protests a controversial development on the site of a former Indigenous mission.

The Leads (formerly known as Leadfoot Fairies) have released Trace, also featuring GANGgajang and Yothu Yindi guitarist Robbie James and Ipswich activist and musician Dirri’Ya-Gamil Kapithun on didgeridoo.

The song takes aim at the housing estates being built by three developers near the site of the old Deebing Creek Indigenous mission near Ipswich.

Dirri'Ya-Gamil Kapithun is a special guest on didgeridoo.

The Jarjumbah Protectors at Ipswich have camped on a development site for over three years in their attempts to stop the development and protect sacred land.

Kapithun, aka Dee Kay, has been one of the protesters, and played didgeridoo and clap sticks on the song and performed in Yuggera language.

“Yuggera is a dying language,” he said.

“It is almost endangered and it is a privilege to have a place to be able to express that in the spirit of reconciliation.”

The Leads guitarist Brian Bennion

The Leads guitarist Brian Bennion has covered the ongoing battle since 2015 in his day job as a journalist, even picking up two Clarion awards for for his work.

Bennion said there were three development sites in question:

* Deebing Springs, being developed by AVJennings, which contained a site called the pit which was a fossilised coral reef, and also adjoined the Deebing Creek Aboriginal cemetery.

* Botanica, being developed nearby by Stockland.

* South Place, being developed by Moremac and including the heritage-listed area of the former mission.

The Leads drummer Michael Schlitz

He said there was an urgency to the song as protesters mounted a last stand, with developers moving in to clear trees in koala habitat close to the heritage-listed mission site.

AVJennings said it had council approval, had been working with the Yuggera Ugarapul native title claimants and that the protesters were not part of that group.

Stockland said last year the native title claimant group had inspected the site and given the green light for earthworks to begin.

All three developers earlier this year signed a memorandum of understanding to build a First Nations cultural centre in the area.

Trace is available on all major streaming platforms.

Protesters climb on to and push down fences at a Deebing Creek site after the First Nations occupants were evicted.

Originally published as The Leads’ debut single Trace takes aim at developments on historical Indigenous sites at Deebing Springs