A poisoned chalice !

Back in the days when Wollongong was changing from a " nightsoil " era to a modern  sewerage system a parcel of land at Bellambi Point was acquired by the Water Board as part of it's treatment system.  The city outgrew Bellambi Point and a bigger treatment plant elsewhere now makes this parcel of land redundant to Sydney Water's requirements - and that creates a headache for Wollongong council.

It has been suggested that council buy this land and bring it into public ownership, but this comes into conflict with the notion that most parts of what is now Wollongong had strong ties to the Aboriginal community, and that all unused land be returned to Aboriginal ownership.   This is the issue at the root of the Sandon Point controversy, which has seen part of that land parcel occupied by an " Aboriginal embassy " and an ongoing legal battle fought in the courts.

Wollongong council has wisely decided to stay out of this issue.  The state government is the entity responsible for Sydney Water and council has simply washed it's hands of the affair and will leave it to the government to make whatever decision it chooses on the future of this parcel of prime waterfront land.  A cost factor is involved because Sydney Water will need to remove existing buildings and restore the site to it's pristine state.

Waterfront land within a city suburb would have a value running into many millions of dollars.  At issue is the question of prior ownership before the first fleet arrived in 1788.   The Aboriginal people claim that the settlers " stole " their land - and they want it back.   Action by the High court in recent times seems to support that notion.   Whatever decision is finally made on the future of Bellambi Point will not please everybody !

It seems to be a " poisoned chalice " that will burn the fingers of all who try to settle the issue.  As things now stand, this land is in the ownership of the state government because of it's use by one of it's entities.   Perhaps the wisest choice is to let it remain so - and put it to use as the site of Aboriginal housing to partly satisfy Aboriginal claims.

It seems inevitable that whatever decision is made, it will eventually end up in the courts because the matter of Aboriginal ownership is an ongoing battle that still has a long way to go.  From time to time watershed decisions have been handed down and it is possible that one day " Bellambi Point " may join "Mabo " and " Wave Hill Station " as iconic decisions in that battle.

Wollongong council is showing good sense in standing well clear of this fracas !