Birpai custodians urge rethink of Tacking Point preschool over Country, children and Guula

TRADITIONAL custodians have joined growing community opposition to the NSW Government’s proposed preschool at Tacking Point Public School, describing the consultation process as “tokenistic” and disrespectful to Country.

Proud Birpai man Mat Rumble, speaking on behalf of himself and senior Birpai Elder Aunty Rhonda, said Aboriginal concerns about the project were “not heard” by the Department of Education.

“The process has been tokenistic and a disgrace,” Rumble told News Of The Area.

He said the Department’s justification for the project – including claims of socioeconomic benefit – did not align with the chosen affluent location in Lighthouse Beach.

“If this was truly about supporting disadvantaged families, this is the wrong spot,” he said.

Beyond planning concerns, Rumble said Birpai people were deeply worried about the cumulative impact of development on Country across the Hastings region, following fires and floods in recent years.
“Too much bushland has already been cleared,” he said.

“The land’s getting sick, and when the land gets sick, we get sick.”

A focal point of those concerns is the impact on koalas, known as Guula in the Birpai Gathang language, which Rumble said had long been regarded as a kind of king species by Aboriginal people.
“Guula are already being pushed out of their habitat,” he said.

“They’re getting hit by cars, attacked by dogs, and losing the places they rely on to survive.

“The government has already spent a lot of money getting kids to plant trees at the school to help encourage koala conservation, but then does the complete opposite with this project.

“What message does that send the children?”

Both Rumble and Aunty Rhonda attended a recent meeting with senior Department of Education officials at the school, where they said concerns raised by community experts were dismissed.

“We were shown data we don’t believe is accurate,” Rumble said.

“The community brought in its own scientists, and their findings contradict the government’s data.

“But their message at the end was simple: ‘It’s going ahead’.

“That was a kick in the guts.”

In a statement, a NSW Department of Education spokesperson said the site was selected following a rigorous assessment process and that consultation had occurred with Aboriginal education bodies and local cultural knowledge holders.

By Matt TAYLOR