1. Home
  2. Comment
  3. Opinion

Letter | Cost of Aboriginal heritage studies

Opinion
CONCERN: A number of Bathurst councillors have spoken out about the cost of Aboriginal heritage surveys on Mount Panorama after the bill to council hit $500,000.
CONCERN: A number of Bathurst councillors have spoken out about the cost of Aboriginal heritage surveys on Mount Panorama after the bill to council hit $500,000.

RE: “Fury over bills: Councillors upset by $500,000 for Aboriginal heritage studies” (Monday, August 22).

AS an education town, we understand the value of Aboriginal cultural heritage and why its protection is critical for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Is our council showing leadership in respecting, valuing and protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage?

READ MORE:Councillors’ anger over $500,000 bill

READ MORE:A price we now pay for mistakes of the past

READ MORE:Mount Panorama’s not the place for a go-kart track, Wiradyuri say

And is our council committed to following legal processes that recognise the rights and entitlements of people who form part of the oldest continuing culture in the world?

I hope so.

Bathurst was, after all, formed on Wiradyuri Country on land that was taken without agreement and with violence.

No doubt we all recognise the significance of Wahluu and its impressive physical/spiritual features.

More than 200 people may support this go-kart track, but many thousands more support the recognition and protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and expect council to deliver on this commitment. 

Alison Gerard, Windradyne