Bundjalung Elders Council chairman Mickey Ryan will today examine what has been claimed to be Aboriginal artefacts unearthed during the construction of a wifi tower at Stoney Chute, near Nimbin.
A fixed wireless Telstra 45 meter monopole tower Radio Base Station with Antennas and a dish is currently being constructed at 1 Stangers Road, Stoney Chute.
Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network spokesman Al Oshlack contacted the contractor yesterday requesting that all work stop until today’s inspection takes place.
‘The Elders have received a report that Aboriginal artefacts have been disturbed on the proposed NBN tower site on Stangers Road via Nimbin NSW,’ Mr Oshlack said.
‘The report states that an area of approx 500 square meters has been cleared with the topsoil being stockpiled. Additionally, the report indicates that following the clearing, a number of subsurface artefacts have been exposed.
‘The Elders Council Chairperson and Secretary have informed me they are visiting the site for an inspection on Thursday 15th February in the afternoon following a funeral they are attending in Lismore.
‘In consideration of the above and the statutory requirements under the National Parks and Wildlife Act we request that no further work on the site be undertaken until such time the Elders have carried out their inspection.’
Meanwhile, Nimbin area resident Rusty Harris said a group of people opposed to the construction of NBN towers in the area would be gathering at the proposed tower site at Lilyfield near Lillian Rocks on Saturday.
Mr Harris said they planned to release a series of attached balloons to illustrate just how big the proposed tower would be.
Opponents of the towers have spoken out against the visual impacts and possible health risks associated with wifi.
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