Successful Land Claim Appeal for Coffs Harbour LALC

14 January, 2014

Successful Land Claim Appeal for Coffs Harbour LALC

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

After a two decade wait for a decision on the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council v Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act [2013] NSWLEC 216, Justice Craig has handed down his decision in favour of Coffs Harbour LALC.

The claim, originally lodged in 1993 covers a 3.7 km stretch of beach and foredune known as Red Rock Beach (located between Red Rock and Corindi.

The case is particularly significant as it represents one of a few successful land claims to include land right up to the mean high water mark.

Of note the land is being transferred to Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council (CH LALC) on condition that an easement for access is created over part of the land to provide public access to and use of the beach for public recreation.

This is a fantastic outcome for the CH LALC especially as the judgment may prove useful in future claims where land is said to be needed for public recreation.

On behalf of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to CH LALC for this terrific win.

Craig Cromelin

NSWALC Chairperson

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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