Lismore council explains decision to hand back significant land to the Widjabul Wiabal people

The Lismore mayor said returning 37ha to traditional owners was a small, but significant step.

Robert Corowa protests at the site of the North Lismore Plateau development.

Update 1.20pm: One of the traditional owners of the land at North Lismore, Mickey Ryan, has called the decision by Lismore councillors to hand back land at North Lismore, “historic”.

Here is his address to councillors at last night’s meeting.

My name is Mickey Ryan. I am a Traditional Owner of the Land incorporating the North Lismore Plateau. Known to us the giant sleeping lizard and echidna, Nyamal and Bumindj in our language I am here representing the Bundjalung Elders Council Aboriginal Corporation;

the Bundjalung Tribal Society; my Ancestors, my family and community.

I am also a lead applicant for the Wiyabal Native Title Claim.

As a traditional owner for the North Lismore Plateau I have both the authority

and standing to speak for that country.

At the outset I say to you all, that tonight is an historical moment with the proposed hand-back of the three council owned parcels of land on the North Lismore Plateau to us Bundjalung traditional owners.

We have just finished this year’s celebrations of Naidoc week with the theme “More than words, Take Action”. And by council representing the community grasping this monumental opportunity is a real positive action more then just accepting empty words.

This is a very big step by our community for Justice and Reconciliation, for all of

us, Aboriginal and non indigenous alike.

By not supporting this handback will just be a continuance of all the injustices our people have suffered through massacre, dispossession, theft of our children and the two hundred years of discriminatory policies enacted by colonial, state and Commonwealth governments.

What happens tonight will reflect not only on council but the wider community. I believe it will not only be a tragedy, but an opportunity lost if council chooses, for whatever reason, not to support the hand back.

There is no question that the land to be handed back has been identified as containing some of the most significant and sacred Sites within the Bundjalung nation.

My responsibility and duty as a Senior Elder of the Bundjalung Nation is toward the protection of our Ancestoral Lands and all the animals, plants and people who dwell within it.

Do I need to remind you that the words quote: “Lismore City Council acknowledges the people of the Bundjalung Nation, traditional owners of the land on which we work.’ Is on all Council correspondence and documents etc.

I also see the Aboriginal flag is standing against the wall of the chamber, why I ask you, is it there if you don’t believe it.,

As the former Prime Minister, Paul Keating once said: ‘The starting point might

be to recognise that the problem starts with us non Aboriginal Australians’.

To conclude let’s commence this process of reconciliation and recognition in a meaningful way, to right the great injustice, for council to listen carefully to what I have said and do the proper thing.

We Aboriginal people have a strong tradition imbedded in our culture of sharing, caring and welcoming.

Go beyond the personal politics and point scoring, All of you seize the moment by supporting this historical occasion and support the hand back of our sacred land to the rightful owners.

Update 10.30am: Lismore mayor Vanessa Ekins said the council’s decision to hand back land at North Lismore to the Widjabil Wiabul people was a “small but significant act”.

Lismore City Councillors last night voted to return 37 hectares of council-owned land on the North Lismore Plateau to its traditional owners, the Widjabul Wiabal people.

The Notice of Motion moved by Cr Ekins was supported by seven councillors.

Speaking after the meeting, Cr Ekins said it was an important decision to ensure that the management of sites of cultural significance are in the hands of the traditional owners.

“We now know how important Sleeping Lizard Hill is to the Widjabul Wia-bal people and handing the land back is a small but significant act delivering just outcomes to Traditional Custodians by returning country to their care and control,” she said.

As part of the motion, council staff will prepare a briefing for councillors to examine how the land will be returned, including which organisation it will be returned to, possible time frames and the impact on council’s budget.

The 37 hectares was adjacent to the two proposed housing developments at the lower reaches of the North Lismore Plateau and includes an area of environmental conservation and the old quarry site.

The North Lismore Plateau is known as the “Sleeping Lizard Hill” by the Widjabul Wiabal people and contains six significantly cultural sites as well as high conservation value vegetation.

Original story: Lismore City Council has agreed to give land it owns on the North Lismore Plateau to its traditional owners, a decision slammed by Page MP Kevin Hogan because of the council’s current financial position.

A motion moved by mayor Vanessa Ekins on council’s ordinary meeting on Tuesday evening, made it possible for council to hand back the land to the Widjabul Wiabal people.

According to council documents, the process included that council staff investigated the options for handing the land back, “including examples from other councils, the process, stakeholders, time frames, council obligations regarding notification, consultation and condition of the land”.

Council-owned land on the North Lismore Plateau will be handed back to the traditional owners.

Staff comments regarding the matter highlighted some of the risks involved in the motion.

“Any proposal to hand back an area of land of this size and value will present a number of questions and risks that need to be clarified and addressed by Council to provide further and sufficient direction to staff on the desired outcomes and to inform any detailed investigation and identify required funding that will need to be allocated by Council,” the document stated.

“Council staff can prepare a briefing to councillors via preliminary investigation on the relevant legal frameworks, issues, options, obligations and likely costs associated with the hand back of land to enable further direction on this matter by councillors prior to commencing further detailed investigation that is likely to incur significant costs that are not currently funded or resourced by council.”

Council-owned land on the North Lismore Plateau will be handed back to the traditional owners.

The motion was supported by councillors Darlene Cook, Elly Bird, Eddie Lloyd, Nancy Casson, Adam Guide and Neil Marks.

Deputy mayor Darlene Cook explained the decision in a social media post.

“Tonight I joined with other Lismore Councillors to commit to a historic (sic) recognition of the traditional custodians of the lands on which we live and work,” she said.

“We have handed back 35 hectares of land at the southern end of the sleeping lizard – North Lismore Plateau – to their custody and care. Reconciliation and healing of country – together.”

Page MP Kevin Hogan criticised the move.

“Look what they have done now, Lismore City Council has just given away a $5 million asset,” he posted on social media.

“Regardless of the worthiness of the recipient, when you are $60 million in debt, you are not in a position to give away a $5 million asset, owned by the ratepayers of Lismore.”

More to come.