SANDON POINT PUBLIC RALLY ON SUNDAY 15th AUGUST 2010

The Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) has called for a Public Rally against further residential development of Sandon Point on Sunday 15^th August 2010 from 2pm at Sturdee Avenue Thirroul/Bulli.

Uncle Allan Carriage (Wadi Wadi Elder) and Roy Dootch Kennedy (elected Chairperson of Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council and resident spokesman for SPATE) along with other Aboriginal and Community representatives will address the rally about the impending threats to the significant Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and environmental values of the Sandon Point site and the declared Aboriginal Place.

Over the past decade both Uncle Allo and Dootch Kennedy have brought numerous legal challenges to halt Stockland development projects at Sandon Point.

Mr Kennedy was an applicant in the most recent Land and Environment Court case which sought to invalidate Ministerial approval of a 180 lot subdivision at Sandon Point. It was argued that Stockland had failed to comply with the Director General’s Requirements to consult with the Illawarra Aboriginal community.

Although Biscoe J in his judgement in Kennedy vs NSW Minister for Planning and Stockland, NSWLEC 129 found that that no consultation had been undertaken he ruled that the Planning Minister under Part 3A of EP&A Act was able to approve the development without the developer having to comply with the DG’s requirements.

Mr Kennedy has instructed his legal representative to place the decision on Appeal.

The August 15th Public Rally will demonstrate that there is wide community support for the ongoing legal battle to protect Aboriginal culture and the environment at Sandon Point.

The rally will take place at Sturdee Avenue at the top of Wilkies Walk, a public access walking trail that runs east-west to McCauleys Beach, which marks the border between the Stockland and ARV lands and is the proposed route of a main roadway to service both developments.

Mr Kennedy said: “I am particularly concerned that Aboriginal cultural sites and places that exist in the vicinity of the Turpentine Forest, on the ARV’s land adjoining Stockland’s, have not been referred as of National Environmental Significance under the Commonwealth  Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act.

“The NSW State Government is culpable to allow the destruction of the significant environmental and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage values at Sandon Point

“The Federal Government must step in to achieve a better outcome for the whole community- one that does not include the loss of the last open natural space on the North Illawarra flood plain to inappropriate residential development.

“Sandon Point is a federal election issue and accordingly invitations have been issued to Federal and State Government representatives listed below to speak about their current position on the next phase of the Sandon Point Residential Developments and Anglican Retirement Village including:

Peter Garrett (Federal Minister for Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts)

Greg Hunt (Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage)

Sharon Bird (Federal MP, Cunningham, ALP Candidate)

Paul McLeay (State MP, Heathcote)

Arthur Rorris (South Coast Labor Council)

Michael Organ (Local Historian and former Federal MP, Greens)

Jess Moore (Socialist Alliance candidate)

George Takacs (Greens candidate)”

Please Note: The Public Rally was previously advertised for 8^th August but has been changed to 15^th August to allow invited speakers to confirm their availability to address the community at the rally. We apologise for any inconvenience as a result.

Authorised by:

Roy Dootch Kennedy (on behalf of SPATE).

0434 366 374

For more information please contact Karen Gough 0434550181 or 02-42686283.

Flyer with Map of Rally point is attached.

Rally