from 4wdnsw
The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council is taking on the Port Stephens
Council and its permit system for
beach access. Emotions are running pretty
high at their Williamtown headquarters because the Worimi LALC say they are
being dudded by the local council, and
the beach is not getting the attention
it deserves.
From 1st July visitors driving across Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council land
on their way to
Stockton Beach will be stopped and given a printed handout by
land council representatives.
The handout explains the Worimi's grievances and delivers a message that if the
Worimi do not obtain satisfaction from Port Stephens Council, then
the beach,
which is their private land, will be closed to the public.
The land council is taking on the Port Stephens Council and its permit system
for
beach access. Lennie Anderson, Worimi CEO and "Bubba Loua" their head
ranger, told me today about their troubles with the local council, which
collects our money for
beach access permits.
Since recognition of the Worimi's traditional ownership, it has been a long
battle for their rights to be recognised, and they have had enough of being
pressured to hand back their rights and land. First it was by the NPWS and now
it is by the council which, according to Lennie, has not met its commitment
regarding revenue from beach permits. "Over the years the council has spent
next to nothing on maintenance of Lavis Lane or the provision of facilities
for the thousands of drivers who each year use this entry point while, during
the same period, the council built a grand surf clubhouse at Birubi Point where
most beach users do not pay the permit fees." said Lennie Anderson.
4WD NSW&ACT members have been asked to write to the Port Stephens Council
objecting to the collection of fees that do not contribute towards the
maintenance of
the beach or for its management. "Unless the Council coughs up
and does something about this diverting of revenues to other users, we will
take over the whole deal. If we collect money from drivers for permits, it will
be spent on the beach". Lennie also claims Port Stephens Council has reduced
its
ranger presence whilst the Worimi have increased theirs. Little wonder the
Worimi are angry that two of their rangers will lose their jobs unless this
revenue issue is quickly resolved.
Members of 4WD NSW&ACT affiliated clubs, carrying their club identification,
will still be very welcome to drive on
the beach and enjoy their visit. Even
if
the beach is closed to the public, our clubs will have private access
because of our long standing relationship and history of working together.
So, warm up your computers and fire off a letter of support. The Worimi LALC
deserve all the support we can muster.
Rob Kelly
President
4wd NSW & ACT
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good reply from bloke on patrol list!
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This all begins to raise several good points...
1. In such a multi-cultural society why does EVERY form ask if I am Aboriginal
or T.S Islander?
2. Exactly HOW LONG do I have to live here to be an indiginous Australian?
According to the dictionary by being born here I am indiginous :-)
3. How long must one live in an area before they own it outright???
4. If we are ALL equal why does my unemployed mate get a LOT less help than the
Aboriginal guy down the road???
If they can (and do) restrict movement through "Native Land" then as a balance
why dont we restrict movement through "White mans land".
I doubt that would go down
well... Can you just imagine it!..
"Have u got a permit to be in the
Sydney CBD???" - No...
Well that'll be a
$5000.00 fine thanks.
Hopping off soap-box...
Mike