Caravan park win overshadowed by ‘racist’ comments

Residents facing eviction from a caravan park have won a 12-month reprieve, but celebrations were marred after a councillor described Indigenous community members as “flame throwers” and “boomerangs”.

Residents facing eviction from a caravan park have won a 12-month reprieve, but celebrations were marred after a regional NSW councillor described Indigenous community members as “flame throwers” and “boomerangs”.

The Sunday Telegraph revealed last week that Clarence Valley Council had advised more than 136 caravan owners – via a letter – that they needed to vacate their leased sites to make room for tourists.

Clarence Valley council has put a pause on their decision to evict hundreds of semi permanent residents in their caravan park. Picture: Natalie Grono

On Friday, during an extraordinary meeting, it was agreed that residents would be allowed to stay for an additional 12 months while the council enacted a plan of management for the sites.

When one councillor asked why local Indigenous land owners had not been consulted regarding the eviction, another councillor, Debrah Novak, shocked community members with her interjection.

Debrah Novak is under fire for describing local Indigenous community members as “boomerangs” and “flamethrowers.”

“If there was a problem with what was going on I can guarantee you we would have every boomerang and every flame thrower in the Clarence Valley going to NCAT court,“ she said.

The comment sparked outrage in the council, with a number of community members walking out of the chambers.

One councillor member who wished to remain anonymous said they were appalled by the comments.

“There were people including a little girl crying, they walked out, they were so insulted and disgusted. It’s not on,” said the councillor. Prior to the rescission motion residents were facing eviction on June 30, leaving many residents devastated.

In a local community Facebook group horrified residents described the comments as “disgusting.”

Local Simon Chase said the comment was “ highly offensive, racist, inappropriate and disgusting,” he said.

The Saturday Telegraph contacted Debrah Novak, who declined to comment.