Resident claims aboriginal site threatened

Clearing on private land at Phegans Bay was threatening an important aboriginal site as well as significant flora and fauna, according to claims made by a local resident last week.

Mr Russell Maule said an expert report had uncovered a birthing site, shelter caves, a rare red and white ochre mine, "female" sites, grinding holes, evidence of basket making, sharpening stones and a traditional meeting place.

Another report had covered the significance of the site's flora and fauna, he said.

Mr Maule said a number of local people were concerned that "another potential major Indigenous land site with both cultural and tourism importance is to be destroyed".

He said approaches to Gosford Council to intervene had been unproductive.

"The council investigated the site prior to the recent land clearing activity."

However, they had either not known of this data, not recorded it or had not told appropriate State and Federal authorities to enable the site to be protected, he said.

He was concerned that evidence of the site may have already been removed, damaged or significantly changed.

Mr Maule said the site should join other adjacent areas in the national park on the Kariong plateau that have already been listed as nationally important.

"Independent analysis by private concerns have confirmed that this new archaeological site requires much further investigation as to the sustainability of the area, the sensitivity of the remains and the future use of the land.

He said that to date the site had remained relatively undisturbed, apart from an "unfortunate clearing incident" a few months ago.

Mr Maule said concerned citizens were being asked to contact the media and their State and Federal Members.

Chairman of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council Mr Dave Pross said he was unaware of the site, but would be interested to inspect it.

He said that the Land Council was not consulted when the site was "under a certain acreage".

Media release, November 30