Premier labels call for an Aboriginal-owned national park as "extreme green"

[Paul Sheridan]

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Media Release							28 May, 
2004

Premier labels call for an Aboriginal-owned national park as "extreme green" 

An opportunity to create an Aboriginal-owned national park in part of the Brigalow Belt near Moree has been rejected by the NSW Premier as being part of an "extreme green option" and plans to create new jobs for Aboriginal people are now at risk, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

"The Premier is ignoring the cultural significance of the Terry Hie Hie area to its traditional owners. He said yesterday that his government had rejected an 'extreme green option' for the Brigalow Belt, which includes a proposal for an Aboriginal-owned national park.

"Cultural sites found in the forests near Moree include burials, campsites, scarred trees, stone artefacts, rock engravings and one of the most important Bora (ceremonial) grounds in NSW.

"An Aboriginal National Park would bring environmental, social and economic benefits to the community of Moree. It would create jobs and be an important step away from welfare dependency for local Aboriginal people."

A detailed proposal for a new Aboriginal-owned national park at Terry Hie Hie was presented to the NSW Government in March this year and covers seven state forests and one nature reserve, which contain 16,000 hectares of the most significant remnants of bushland in the Moree district.

"This land is important to all the people whose ancestors came from Terry Hie Hie. The Premier has displayed his government's true intentions for the Brigalow Belt and they do not include protecting the little remaining forest areas or traditional ownership of the land."

The traditional owners want the Government to declare the Aboriginal National Park as part of its decision on the future of public lands in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion. The proposal has the support of Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Western Conservation Alliance.

The Brigalow Belt South stretches from Dubbo to the Queensland border and is a nationally acknowledged biodiversity hotspot. A recent Regional Assessment established the high cultural and environmental significance of the Terry Hie Hie area.

Aboriginal ownership of National Parks with cultural significance has been possible in NSW since 1996. 

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656




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