Lara expansion faces native title interests

Andrew Mathieson
INDIGENOUS groups have expressed “interest” in exercising native title rights on land earmarked for expansion of Lara’s town centre, according to City Hall.
A local indigenous leader said the claimants could seek compensation in the region’s first native title bid.
A City spokesperson said a “couple” of traditional landowners had staked an interest in Austin Park, neighbouring Lara’s major shopping precinct.
The City had been advised native title “does exist” on the Crown land site, the spokesperson said.
The City was preparing an “indigenous land use agreement” while working on converting part of the park to retail space.
Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative chief executive Trevor Edwards said the claimants could seek compensation for the development.
“I would suggest that any claim of native title would encompass lots of different outcomes and one could be a compensation claim,” he said.
However, Mr Edwards believed that a compensation claim would damage a strong relationship with Geelong’s council, which he described as a state leader in “engaging” indigenous communities.
“In my opinion, compensation would probably be a detrimental pathway to move down,” Mr Edwards said.
“If the goodwill was there from council, I would suggest it wouldn’t be a very positive move by our organisation or any other groups.”
Mr Edwards, a National Native Title Board member who has previously lodged a traditional-owner claim, said a Lara determination would rest on “quite open, transparent and factual” information.
The native title bid would set a precedent for Geelong, he said.
However, Mr Edwards said it should not be considered a land grab or claim.
“When people realise this is not about native title, it’s not going to impact detrimentally on the broader community,” he said.
Mr Edwards said “good outcomes” would be employment and “sustainability”, which could include a Lara indigenous cultural centre and shop.
“Lara has a significant amount of history in that area with its closest connection to the You Yangs and there a number of burial sites out there,” he said.