Plateau land sacred, says elder

NOT even 24 hours after Lismore Council's unanimous support for the North Lismore Plateau development, the plan has hit a significant hurdle.

Bundjalung spokesperson Robert Corowa sits in front of what he says is the Sleeping Lizard sacred Aboriginal site in North Lismore, which is proposed for development. . Picture: Jacklyn Wagner

NOT even 24 hours after Lismore Council's unanimous support for the long-proposed North Lismore Plateau development was hailed as “a defining moment” in thecity's history, the plan has hit a significant hurdle with claims the site is on sacred Aboriginal ground.

Robert Corowa, a spokesman for the Bundjalung elders, contacted The Northern Star yesterday toissue a warning to the developers and council not to proceed with the proposal.

“(The plateau) is a sacred site,” he said. “If they would've consulted the Bundjalung elders they would have found out it was a sacred site and it couldn't be built there.”

After numerous years of debate, councillors voted on Tuesday night to start rezoning the land for residential development and recommend the Department of Planning amend its 2006 Far North Coast Strategy to allow it toproceed.

If it does go ahead the development will consist of between 1200 and 1500 homes on what is now farmland, and would significantly increase the amount of available land in Lismore, council staff said.

At Tuesday's meeting Cr Graham Meineke, who worked with the two developers and council to push the project through, said it was the first time in seven years he had “pleasure” in supporting a motion.

“This is a defining moment in Lismore's history, and those of you who have a bent for history should write this date down,” he said.

“We are going to maintain our position as the capital of the Northern Rivers, and I ask councillors to put aside their differences and embrace this pivotal moment.”

However, despite the unanimous vote, the euphoria was dimmed yesterday after Mr Corowa, who successfully scuttled Evans Head's Iron Gates development, declined to rule out legalaction to stop the development.

“I would like it known now, before they get started, that it really is a no-go area as far as development is concerned under any circumstances. People should re-spect that,” he said.

“The best way to get that across is to go to the newspapers soeveryone can read it.”

He said the plateau was a sleeping lizard from the Aboriginal dreaming and a totem for Lismore.

“Over thousands of years of Aboriginal culture, people have come to understand that thislizard that lives here has its home and dreaming in that mountain,” Mr Corowa said.

“They understand that that mountain represents the lizard and it should be respected.”

The project will go on public display before council gives it final approval.

FACT BOX

1200 to 1500 new homes proposed for North Lismore

Will refocus urban growth on the CBD, supporting revitalisation

Take pressure off the Ballina Road corridor

Originally published as Plateau land sacred, says elder