Balmoral Beach Aboriginal Land Claim: Part of a ‘prestigious’ and affluent suburb laid claim to by Aboriginal group
Balmoral Beach Aboriginal Land Claim: part of a ‘prestigious’ and affluent suburb claimed by Aboriginal group
A Sydney city council is set to debate a confidential Aboriginal Land Claim application for a $100 million piece of land on Balmoral Beach without anyone from the public present.
Mosman Council, on Sydney’s lower North Shore, will discuss the confidential matter behind closed doors on Tuesday evening, as the 4,000 square meter parkland between Botanic Road and Plunkett Road sits in session. just off the Esplanade.
Balmoral Beach is widely regarded as one of Sydney’s best family beaches, with a string of lively cafes and restaurants surrounded by some of the city’s most ‘prestigious’ real estate.
The 4000 square meter parkland between Botanic Road and Plunkett Road is just off the Esplanade
A Sydney city council will debate a confidential Aboriginal Land Claim application for a $100 million piece of land on Balmoral Beach without anyone from the public present.
Below the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1983, Indigenous communities in NSW have the potential power to claim Crown Land as compensation for historic expropriation of territory.
However, there are some limitations.
The land must be legal for sale, must not be used or inhabited, must not be necessary for residential land, conservation or any public purpose, and must not interfere with other claims to Indigenous property.
Former Prime Minister and member of Warringah Tony Abbott said so 2GB he fears similar claims could increase if the Voice referendum is successful.
“I’m a little hesitant to comment on a land claim I know nothing about,” Abbott said.
“Except nothing is happening in this space that is unlikely to accelerate and intensify as the Voice becomes established.”
Balmoral Beach (pictured) is widely regarded as one of Sydney’s best family beaches, with a strip of lively cafes and restaurants surrounded by ‘prestige’ real estate
Mosman Council, on Sydney’s lower North Shore, will discuss the confidential matter behind closed doors on Tuesday night, as the 4,000-square-mile parkland between Botanic Road and Plunkett Road sits just off the Esplanade.
Tonight’s debate topic is on page 176 of the 177-page agenda for the regular council meeting.
“The Manager Governance recommends that the meeting be closed to the press and the public for that portion necessary to discuss information about the nature and location of a place or item of Aboriginal significance on community land,” the agenda reads.
“It is recommended that this be considered in closed session in the Confidential Reports Section of the General Order of Business, and that the Board decide accordingly.”