Lizard Rock, Belrose: Protests against latest planning move in Aboriginal land redevelopment bid

Protests have ramped up over the latest move by the NSW government in a bid to redevelop Aboriginal-owned bushland on the northern beaches.

Two new northern beaches MPs have ramped up efforts to halt plans for a controversial 450-home subdivision on Aboriginal-owned bushland at Belrose.

The Liberal MP for Pittwater Rory Amon is circulating a petition calling on the Labor state government to stop the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council’s massive “Lizard Rock” land redevelopment.

And the new independent MP for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, is seeking an urgent meeting with Planning Minister Paul Scully to urge him to scrap plans for hundreds of houses on the 71ha site.

Mr Regan also tabled a petition in parliament on, on behalf of the community against the proposed housing development.

The petition, with more than 12,000 signatures, organised by local group the Bushland Guardians, means the government was obliged to respond to concerns, and ensure the issue was debated in state parliament.

In the lead up to this year’s state election, the then-Coalition government said it would stop the Lizard Rock project if re-elected.

Northern Beaches Council also voted in January to oppose rezoning of the land to allow housing and suggested it become a national park instead.

The eastern edge of the “Lizard Rock” site, along Morgan Rd, which the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council wants to redevelop into a 450-home subdivision. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Andrews

The renewed opposition to Lizard Rock comes just days after the Planning Department announced it was allowing the proposal to move to the next stage in assessment.

By developing the site, the MLALC wants to generate hundreds of millions of dollars to help support programs for ­Aboriginal people, including providing social housing.

It has said the proposal would protect a number of ancient Aboriginal sites within its boundaries, with 19.8ha of the development kept as conservation areas.

Aboriginal elder Uncle Allen Madden with a rock carving in the Lizard Rock landholding. Picture: Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

Supporters say it could include seniors housing, an Aboriginal cultural community centre as well as shops, a supermarket and cafes.

A Planning Department delegate for the Minister has advised Northern Beaches Council the proposal was moving to the next stage of assessment.

The MLALC must now provide additional material and then, within three months, the proposal will go on public exhibition.

Both MPs said the proposal was being pushed ahead despite community opposition to the plan, which they said would lead to the removal of 45 football fields of bushland and wildlife habitat.

An indicative image of what an Aboriginal cultural centre may look like in the proposed 'Lizard Rock' development. Picture: Cox Architecture

“Unfortunately, the Labor Party is intent on dumping dense development on the northern Beaches, as they have threatened to do for years, without any proper infrastructure in place, or being planned,” Mr Amon said.

“This is another slap in the face of our community, especially after the recent cancellation of the Beaches Link Tunnel.”

Mr Amon predicted the development, if approved, would be used for “Seniors Living” apartments, accommodating up to 1800 people.

An indicative map of the proposed 'Lizard Rock' development at Belrose on 71ha of land owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. The image, showing 'open space structure', is part of documents lodged with the NSW Planning Department. Picture: Cox Architecture

He was also concerned the homes would be in an area easily affected by bushfires.

“Placing homes in such a vulnerable area is, in my view, a recipe for tragedy,” Mr Amon said.

”Government must work with the MLALC and community to ensure the land is protected and that the MLALC rights as landowners are protected.”

Mr Regan said the government’s decision to move the plans along was “extremely disappointing, but unfortunately not unexpected”.

Rory Amon, the Liberal MP for Pittwater, is circulating a petition urging the state government to halt plans for the Lizard Rock redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

An image on the Facebook page of Independent MP for Wakehurst Michael Regan.

“The local community have made it clear this development is not acceptable.

“In light of this step by the department, I have sought an urgent meeting with the Planning Minister Paul Scully, to reinforce my position.”

In December last year, a Planning NSW panel ruled the proposal had merit and could proceed to a “Gateway determination” despite more than 1100 public submissions­ received.

Independent Northern Beaches Councillor Vincent De Luca, who supported the plans, said earlier this year the land was freehold and the site has “both cultural significance and the ability to provide economic independence for the Aboriginal community”.

“Suggestions they should be dictated to by privileged northern beaches residents and let their land be turned into a National Park is ridiculous,” he said.

Rory Amon’s petition can be found online.