Lismore council’s return of land to traditional owners to proceed despite opposing motion

It was a historic land handback decision that established Lismore city council as a regional leader in reconciliation with First Nations people.

But after a contentious motion by a newly elected councillor to halt the handback of 37 hectares at the southern end of Sleeping Lizard Hill, or North Lismore Plateau, what was seen as a significant step in the healing journey for Aboriginal Australians seems a little less sure-footed.

For the Widjabal Wia-bal people, and a community highly active in environmental issues and social justice, the hope is that the attempt to overturn a commitment towards healing the wounds of the past will be the last.

At the council's first meeting of the year, a newly elected councillor, Big Rob, proposed that council take no further action in relation to its decision of July 2021 to hand back the land while it explored financial options and issues.

In response more than 20,000 people signed a change.org petition to support the handback and a crowd of 450 people assembled in front of the council chambers on the night.

After much debate and numerous calls to order, Big Rob's motion was defeated 10-1, with the council resolving to hold a workshop with the traditional custodians to determine the best way forward.

Jenny Smith, a traditional custodian, told the council the lack of consultation prior to the motion "left a bad taste" in a lot of people's mouths.