Darebin Council outlines plans to give ownership of council land to indigenous people

A Melbourne council’s plan to lead the nation in handing back “stolen” land to indigenous people - inspired by the Uluru example - has been labelled “unhinged”.

A Melbourne council wants to give ownership of council land to indigenous people.

The left dominated City of Darebin, inspired by the handing back of Uluru to indigenous people, wants to start a national trend of giving “stolen land” to traditional owners to own and manage.

It is not yet clear what council land would be involved, however, Darebin has substantial holdings including parks, reserves and other allotments.

Councillors recently unanimously agreed to start the process of identifying “all the opportunities, including any places of cultural significance” for transfer to the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

The City of Darebin wants to start a national trend of giving “stolen land” to traditional owners. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Land transfers to Aboriginal groups are usually done at federal and state levels.

Championing the proposal, independent councillor Gaetano Greco said Darebin should go beyond mere “acknowledgment and recognition” of indigenous people and have a conversation about land.

“It’s important that the council takes a lead in this particular space … as a good example to many other councils across Victoria, and I’d say across Australia,” he said.

“(The handing back of Uluru in 1985) is a wonderful model that I think a municipality like ours could follow on a much more micro level.”

Darebin councillor Gaetano Greco has championed the proposal. Picture: Stuart Milligan

While supporting the motion, fellow independent councillor Susan Rennie said that “this land is not ours to give back”.

“When I say that I acknowledge that I’m on Wurundjeri land … that comes from profound understanding that we are the beneficiaries of being on stolen land,” she said.

“What we need to do is have a deeply respectful conversation in which we listen more than we talk about what the process could be about restoring land to the Traditional Owners.”

Foundations of Western civilisation program director at the Institute of Public Affairs, Dr Bella d’Abrera, said the council had complete disregard for ratepayers.

“The council appears to want to sacrifice local playgrounds to advertise their own virtue,” she said.

“Will the councillors be willing to set an example by giving up their homes?” she said.

“This is exactly the type of unhinged policy we have come to expect from Darebin Council, which has been captured by dangerous and ideological identity politics.”

Darebin has had a recent history of dysfunctional governance, with the council effectively split between a Greens-aligned majority and a minority faction of independents.

Last month, Darebin was among three councils to have a state government-appointed municipal monitor amid concerns about governance and councillor conduct.

Originally published as Darebin Council outlines plans to give ownership of council land to indigenous people