North Lismore plateau indigenous land hand back faces hurdle

A “peaceful gathering” has been organised in Lismore in support of handing back a section of land known as Sleeping Lizard to the Indigenous community.

Widjabul Wia-bal applicants Mickey Ryan and Jenny Smith meet in Lismore before a peaceful gathering at Lismore council chambers.

Traditional owners of “Sleeping Lizard” said there will be “spiritual consequences” if the land on the North Lismore plateau is not managed in the right way.

Widjabul Wia-bal native title claim applicant Mickey Ryan said he and other members of the claim opposed Lismore City councillor Big Rob’s motion that could result in only part of Sleeping Lizard being returned to them.

The council is due to meet to discuss the motion on Tuesday night.

“The Plateau is connected to other Widjabul Wia-bal sites and is part of a broader cultural landscape that unites us,” Mr Ryan said.

“We are responsible for looking after the area and there are spiritual consequences for us if the land isn’t managed in the right way.”

Widjabul Wia-bal native title claim applicant Queenie Speeding in Lismore.

Fellow applicant Queenie Speeding praised a previous council decision to hand back the land.

“The original decision really was a big step forward for council’s reconciliation action plan,” Ms Speeding said.

She said they were “overjoyed” the council understood the importance and connection to the land that was deeply felt by the Widjabul Wia-bal people.

“To renege on it now would be devastating to us and overturn the sense of healing that the decision promoted,” Ms Speeding said.

Councillor Big Rob says further investigation is needed.

Councillor Big Rob has put forward a motion for Lismore council to consider halting action on its decision to hand the land back.

Instead, Mr Rob has moved that the council consider all options for profit on the residential portion of the area.

He has also moved that the council “provide in principle” support to transfer ownership of the environmental conservation and environmental management lots to the traditional owners.

Mr Rob’s written motion notes that together with council’s current financial position and associated complicated compliance concerns, the outcome sought will ensure council does not try to prematurely dispose of land prior to exploring various options and issues.

It says those issues include examining any risks, benefits, costs and potential for profit associated with each option and issue.

“A rigorous analysis process, followed by the preparation of a business case, should always be undertaken prior to council making decisions to develop, sell or otherwise dispose of any council owned land,” the motion reads.

“Moving forward slowly should also considerably reduce the risk of a substantial financial burden being imposed on ratepayers.”

Jenny Smith, also a Widjabul Wia-bal applicant, urged the council to clearly reject the notice of motion.

“Big Rob did not consult and the motion jeopardises our future relationship with the council,” Ms Smith said.

She said sacred land on Sleeping Lizard held the birth tree of her father, which was subsequently destroyed by a previous landholder.

Sleeping Lizard is also a culturally significant tribal marker where tribes would gather when moving north.

“It defines our tribal boundaries,” Ms Smith said.

She said the Widjabul Wia-bal People stood united in their opposition to the motion.

Councillor Vanessa Ekins is opposed to the motion.

Councillor Vanessa Ekins has organised an online petition to support the land hand back which had nearly 20,000 signature son Tuesday evening.

Ms Ekins also organised a peaceful gathering to be held at the rear of council chambers in support of upholding the previous council’s unanimous decision to hand Sleeping Lizard back to its traditional owners.

Mr Ryan said the land had a deep connection to his people.

“How is Lismore City Council going to show leadership with broken promises?” he said.

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

Bundjalung Aboriginal Elder Mickey Ryan says the North Lismore plateau has a deep connection with his people.

He said the hand back was a “very big step” for reconciliation and justice for both indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Ms Ekins said the hand back was a significant and important issue for Lismore.

“There is a legitimate expectation by the Widjabal Wiabal people and the broader community, that the handover of this land will happen,” Ms Ekins said.