The local Aboriginal community say they are disgusted and being treated like second class citizens by Bega Valley Shire Council and the State Government when it comes to Cuttagee Bridge.
Merrimans Aboriginal Land Council tell us they haven’t been consulted on the decision to replace the historic old crossing with a new two-lane concrete one.
They’re speaking out after local MP Michael Holland confirmed late last week the $30 million funding deed had been signed.
Dr Holland met twice in recent weeks with representatives from the lands council including a mobile office event.
They expressed their strong opposition to destruction of the historic old bridge and say he assured them nothing further would occur until they had been consulted.
Djiringandj and Yuin man and Traditional Owner Gary Campbell said then he woke up to hear him announcing the deed had been signed.
“He said I’ll try and do my best to do this before you know, we’ll get all you fullas, peoples view before decide what to do you know nut then I hear on the radio the deals been done. It’s shocking you know I just felt sick after hearing it on the radio,” he said.
The highly respected local community figure said the area around the bridge has major cultural significance to him and his people.
“All of our people are buried in those sand dunes,” Mr Campbell said.
“Right along there there are artifacts that were dug up years ago. We never had a voice back then and they’re still not including our rights and our heritage,” he said.
“It’s sad. $30 million and say this deed is going to knock all that old road and bridge down now. We’ll dig em all up again, it’ll be right.”
Mr Campbell said he’ll investigate if native title can be used to stop a new bridge being built.
