Women's march calls for protection of 'sacred lands'
Women's march convened by four groups calling for the preservation of the Kariong Sacred Lands converged on the office of Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch on Friday, September 8.
The groups called on her to support for protection of the land from a 70-house development proposed by Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The groups involved were the Coast Environmental Alliance, the Indigenous Party of Australia, the Central Coast Animal Justice Party and the Central Coast Environmental Advocacy Committee.
Environmental Alliance organiser Ms Emma French said: "We had a great turn out of passionate women from diverse backgrounds who all share one common vision, to protect and care for our precious wilderness areas on the Central Coast.
"We are hoping by coming together as women to appeal to our State Member.
"We might inspire Liesl to support protecting Kariong Sacred Lands over the wants and need of a private land developer."
She said, if successful, the proposed development would see the houses built on culturally and ecologically sensitive land zoned C2 by the Government; the highest environmental protection private land can receive.
Darkinoong/Yuin elder Aunty Colleen Fuller said: "It was heartening to see such an amazing line up of inspirational women speaking at the event.
"As someone with cultural ties to the Central Coast, to know that we have the support of the broader community makes me feel hopeful for the future.
"If the Darkinjung Land Council is able to rezone and bulldoze this part of Kariong Sacred Lands with threatened species, endangered wetlands and cultural heritage, literally nowhere is safe."
Advocacy committee spokesperson Ms Lisa Bellamy of Kariong said: "We can't solve the problems of today using the same thinking that created them.
"Surely, with everything we know about the need for green spaces, for the planet's health, and our own wellbeing, we can find creative solutions to address the need for housing instead of doing what we have always done and carve our way through more bushland."
SOURCE
Media release, 12 Sep 2023
Emma French, Coast Environmental Alliance