A western Sydney council has been accused of attempting to implement an “indigenous treaty undercover”.
Cumberland City Council, which covers the suburbs from Lidcombe to Girraween, is planning to sign a partnership agreement with three local indigenous corporations.
This is despite more than two-thirds of residents voting against the Voice to Parliament referendum last October.
2GB presenter Ben Fordham said the move amounted to a “backdoor treaty”.
“Plans are currently underway to sign a treaty between three indigenous land councils within the Cumberland Local Government Area,” he said on Monday.
‘It would recognise that the three lands on which Cumberland sits were never ceded. Consultation with all three land councils would be required before any future development was undertaken.
‘Two indigenous names have also been proposed for the signs, but there has been very little community consultation.’
Cumberland councillor Steve Christou called the move “absolutely disgraceful” and accused the council of trying to “smuggle it in under cover of darkness” in April.
A western Sydney council has been accused of trying to implement an “Indigenous treaty underhandedly” (pictured, a Welcome to Country ceremony taking place in Melbourne in 2022)
Mr Christou said he and two colleagues objected, but the proposal has now returned to the council.
“It was proposed that we now go to three local land councils: the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council,” Christou said.
“All the conditions imposed were absolutely horrendous.”
Mr Christou said the proposal would create reams of red tape as it would require the council to consult Indigenous groups on a range of decision-making, including planning applications and street naming.
He added: “Cumberland voted against by 64 percent. Our residents do not want treaties or agreements, they just want to live side by side, hand in hand with their indigenous brothers and sisters.”
Cumberland City Council, which covers suburbs from Lidcombe to Girraween, plans to sign a partnership agreement with three local Indigenous corporations (pictured, Western Sydney)
“This is very, very concerning, because it will simply stop any development or any type of progress from happening in Cumberland,” Christou said.
‘Imagine all the bureaucracy that will be created when you have to consult on every land purchase or every negotiation or agreement that the council wants to implement.
“It’s just not right.”
He added: “Cumberland voted against by 64 percent. Our residents do not want treaties or agreements, they just want to live side by side, hand in hand with their indigenous brothers and sisters.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cumberland City Council for comment.
