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10 June 2015 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DARKINJUNG DISAPPOINTED IN LACK OF AWARENESS OF
SITE SIGNIFICANCE
Sean Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council
(LALC), has today expressed his disappointment in the oversight that has lead to
the development of a possible Aboriginal burial ground in Booker Bay.
“For more than 5 years we’ve been working with Gosford City Council, various State
Government Departments and the former owner of a property in Booker Bay to
properly determine the cultural significance of the site,” Sean Gordon said.
“It’s extremely disappointing that after all this time, diligence and effort from so
many people, we now have an unapproved construction sitting on top of a
potentially culturally significant site.
“As a community here on the Central Coast and especially on the Woy Woy
peninsula, there is a strong recognition of the importance of our heritage.
“This is not just Aboriginal heritage, this is Australian heritage. It’s just heartbreaking
to see a potential site of our collective history bulldozed over because of an
administrative error, oversight or any other reason.
“Despite the damage to the site and potential breaches of the National Parks and
Wildlife Act, we remain committed to working with all relevant parties to develop a
suitable outcome.
“With an increased awareness of our culture and history, we can all ensure that
we’re protecting our shared history.
“Together, we can make sure that errors like this don’t ever happen again,” Sean
concluded.
-MORE-
-MOREA history of the site at 396 Booker Bay Road, Booker Bay:

July 1970 - Aboriginal remains found within property

April 2010 - Development application made for property by former owner

June 2010 – initial inspection reports possible Aboriginal burial ground and shell
midden. Site registered with Office of Environment and Heritage, Aboriginal
Information Management System

April 2012 – former owners commission report on property by Austral
Archaeology that amongst other things determines entire study area is
considered to be of high potential significance and any subsurface activity in the
study area could have an adverse impact on the important site

June 2012 – Darkinjung LALC formally respond to Austral Archaeology
suggesting further investigation

July 2012 – Gosford City Council received notice from Office of Environment and
Heritage that recommends Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit and strict
compliance with terms of AHIP

Aug 2012 – Feb 2015 – Property sold to new owner Urban Growth NSW. New
owner demolishes existing dwelling on property and develops new dwelling
under SEPP (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009

Feb 2015 – Office of Environment and Heritage receive report of damage by
construction works to registered shell midden site on 396 Booker Bay Road,
Booker Bay.
--ENDS—
For information or to speak to Sean Gordon contact:
Ashleigh Milne
Brilliant Logic
T: 02 4324 6962 | E: amilne@brilliantlogic.com.au