Oceanway must not ride roughshod over Aborigines

IN principle I am a supporter of the oceanway but to my shame it never crossed my mind that native title rights or Aboriginal (saltwater people) heritage sites must be taken into account.

This is despite the fact that many heritage sites have been obliterated in this city and along the coastal areas by developers with previous councils’ permission.

When native title rights on the coastal section of the Gold Coast came up for discussion they were treated with contempt and restricted to the sand and dune areas. Very little of Aboriginal heritage value remains intact in this city.

Two huge middens on the Tallebudgera side of Burleigh headland were totally obliterated by the construction of a restaurant complex with a Greek island flavour about it (that also includes a large residence).

The development appears to struggle to make a profit, however we can hardly sympathise with the developer.

The real loss is for Aboriginal people losing access to the area – as has the general public, because it is a gated property.

Whether the oceanway proceeds according to the planned route remains to be seen.

However the council must immediately call for an Aboriginal heritage study with participation from the local Aboriginal people and then act on recommendations coming out of it.