Council light rail promise

RESIDENTS fear Indigenous heritage sites along Gold Coast’s light rail corridor will be under threat after councillors remove a city protection clause – but the mayor assures that’s not the case.

A majority of councillors – all bar Division 13’s Daphne McDonald – agreed to scrap the clause during its Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 update sitting earlier this month, focusing on the Palm Beach local area transport study.

The subsection clause states the corridor alignment within both Divisions 13 and 14 be refined to ensure there is protection of Indigenous heritage sites along the corridor.

It follows last month’s Bulletin exclusive revealing First Nations elders planned to lodge a native title claim that would potentially stop the rail from going through Burleigh Headland.

Anti-light rail campaigners slammed the “outrageous decision” on social media as news of the change spread – but Mayor Tom Tate says all is not what it seems.

“Let’s be clear. This is a state-led project so there is no need for council to specifically refer to Indigenous heritage in any of our reports,” Mr Tate told the Bulletin. “Minister Mark Bailey has made it clear the state has established specific protocols to liaise with the relevant Indigenous groups regarding this project.”

Mr Tate applauded the state for “going above and beyond” on it, saying it would be a “double up” for council to reference potential Indigenous heritage sites in its reports.

Under the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and Torres Strait Islander

Land Act 1991, a minister can make declarations to facilitate granting of land and about the management of the land.

Ministers can also make declarations regarding the reservation of forest products and quarry materials to the state, meaning local councils possess no jurisdiction over the sites.

Mr Tate’s comments come after Transport Minister Mark Bailey said in recent weeks the state had already taken into account previous native title claims – a statement he doubled down on when pressed on the matter.

The proposed amendment was at first opposed by councillors Pauline Young and Gail O’Neill plus Ms MacDonald – but the pair swayed in an 18minute adjournment.

It fuelled concerns among residents, some of whom already received letters of resumption for their properties from state government.

Earlier this year, owner of former George’s Paragon at Tallebudgera Creek hit back at proposed Stage 4 light rail plans through Burleigh that would likely claim his home.

Now, local activists and First Nations elders fear it will desecrate parts of Burleigh headland, a sacred site where First Nations women gave birth and their spiritual god has been asleep for thousands of years.

Last month’s native title claim by Kombumerri Ngarang-Wal Saltwater people puts the Burleigh-to-airport section of rail at risk.

But Transport Minister Mark Bailey says this isn’t the case and that adequate measures had been taken to ensure the survival of sacred spots.