The Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) is celebrating another big milestone in its 40th year, with the transfer of title of 3.79 hectares of the Sandhills precinct in Byron Bay to the Tweed Byron LALC by an Aboriginal Land Agreement (ALA).
‘We are extremely elated at the successful settlement and transfer of title at Sandhills from the NSW government to the Tweed Byron LALC,’ Chief Executive Officer of the Tweed Byron LALC, Leweena Williams, told The Echo.
New emergency precinct
The transfer is part of a broader $28 million emergency services precinct project at the Sandhills site, which will house new Byron Bay Police and Byron Bay Fire and Rescue NSW stations.
The Sandhills Estate covers about 13 hectares of land adjacent to Byron CBD, and is Crown land previously used for sand mining.
Crown Lands, the NSW Aboriginal land Council, and Tweed Byron LALC have negotiated ALAs to settle outstanding Aboriginal land claims and interests on the Sandhills site.
‘3.79 hectares of the Sandhills site will transfer to the ownership of Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council, as well as the current police station site in Shirley Street, and current Fire and Rescue site in Kingsley Street,’ a NSW Crown Lands press release says.
Ms Williams said, ‘This is a great example not only of collaboration, but also of a land claim having outcomes beyond the land rights system for the wider community with the creation of a new emergency services precinct at Sandhills’.
‘In due course, Tweed Byron LALC will determine the appropriate use for this land, which has the potential to deliver social and economic outcomes for the Tweed Byron LALC, and the broader community of the Byron Shire.
Collaborative approach
‘I acknowledge the Tweed Byron LALC Board of Directors, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Byron Shire Council, Crown Lands and Emergency Services for their collaborative approach that has yielded successful outcomes for the Tweed Byron LALC and the broader community of the Byron Shire,’ she said.
‘Let’s take this moment to celebrate the settlement of this claim and acknowledge all key stakeholders.’
Di Randall, member of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council North Coast Region, added her support to the celebration of this great result.
18-year-long claim
‘It has been 18 years since our claim, and three years of negotiations to get to this win-win result’, said Di.
‘It has been hard work getting here and shifting mindsets, but it is a great outcome for the Tweed Byron LALC community, and the whole community of Byron. We look forward to many more celebrations of this kind.’
Mark Arnold, General Manager of Byron Shire Council said, ‘The finalisation of the Land Agreements at Byron Bay’s Sandhills Estate is the culmination of many years of hard work by the Tweed Byron LALC and on behalf of Byron Shire Council, I congratulate everyone who has been involved’.
‘This is a proud moment for the Tweed Byron LALC and represents great opportunity for the Tweed Byron LALC and Byron communities.
‘Byron Shire Council is looking forward to continuing to work with Tweed Byron LALC and all stakeholders involved in projects that are being rolled out at Sandhills, including the construction of the new emergency services precinct and the restoration of the degraded wetlands,’ Mr Arnold added.
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