18 June 1992
Alderman David Campbell
Lord Mayor
Wollongong City Council
Wollongong
Dear Ald. Campbell,
THE MABO DECISION.
On 3 June, 1992, the High Court of Australia found "that the
common law of Australia recognizes a form of native title which,
in the cases where it has not been extinguished, reflects the
entitlement of the indigenous inhabitants, in accordance with
their laws or customs, to their traditional lands..."
I suggest to you that it is appropriate for the Wollongong City
Council to move to ensure that the remaining rights of this
regions First People are not further eroded by the genocidal
practices of the past.
Indeed, it may be contrary to the Racial Discrimination Act
(1975) for the Council to dispose of lands with such
unextinquished native title without proper compensation to the
Aboriginal owners.
The full working out of the implications of the Mabo decision
will take some time. Caution would suggest that close liaison
with the appropriate Aboriginal Land Council is warrented.
In particular, though, it seems to me that the proposed
Helensburgh Local Environment Plan, the Illawarra Escarpment Park
and the proposed development of the wetlands at Thirroul must be
viewed through post-Mabo eyes.
Could you (or an Officer of the Council) advise me, in respect
to any areas of land in the proposed Illawarra Escarpment Park;
the Helensburgh Local Environment Plan; and the proposed
development of the wetlands at Thirroul, if the issue of native
title and other rights of Aboriginal people have been, or will
be, fully examined by the Council?
Yours truly,
Bruce Reyburn
cc Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council.