The future of the now vacant Tomaree Lodge site and surrounding foreshore at Shoal Bay remains uncertain after it was revealed last week that Aboriginal land claims on the site were being assessed.
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A spokesperson for Melinda Pavey, the Nationals' State Minister for Water, Property and Housing, told the Examiner that there had been two Aboriginal land claims on the Tomaree Lodge area by Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The spokesperson said that the claims had been assessed against statutory criteria set out in the Aboriginal Land Rights Acts 1983 and refused on February 11, 2020.
"The decision to refuse the claims has been appealed and is currently before the Land and Environment Court. As the matter is before the court it would not be appropriate to comment further."
CEO of the Worimi land council, Andrew Smith, said that the board and Worimi elders had also preferred not to comment while the claims processes were before the courts.
The Examiner had not received a response from Liberal Parliamentary Secretary to the Hunter, Taylor Martin, prior to Tuesday's deadline.
ALSO READ: Last of Tomaree Lodge's residents vacated
Tomaree Headland Heritage Group president Peter Clough said that the land claim had demonstrated the importance of the world class significance of the site.
"It proves there are great implications for both Port Stephens and the State Government and that the site deserves an innovative management approach, particularly as a financially sustainable educational and tourism precinct. It can also potentially offer very diverse employment opportunities," he said.
"We therefore believe that a Management Trust to include representation from government authorities including Port Stephens Council, the Worimi, the community and specialised experts in the field."
Mr Clough said at the time of its formation, the heritage group had invited a representative from the Worimi to be included on the board.
"We still look forward to a positive response."
He said the group's objectives had always included the protection and interpretation of the natural asset of the headland, including Indigenous heritage.
"Our objectives are clearly outlined in our plan and includes to retain the site in public/community ownership with appropriate public access; to create a nationally significant tourist attraction; to complement the existing and planned improvements to the adjoining Tomaree national park, in particular the proposed coastal walk; and to optimise visitor experience."
The group is also looking at establishing a museum and interpretive centre to preserve the natural and cultural history of the area and to establish an educational and research facility.
Mr Clough described the 9-hectare site, which had been occupied by the Department of Communities and Justice as a residential facility for some 40 years prior to its closure earlier this year, as a precious and unique parcel of coastal land.
"It cannot be over emphasised that the Port Stephens community has a strong affiliation with the Tomaree Lodge site and the natural environment of the headland, which is tantamount to having an inherent responsibility," he said.
"Therefore we strongly urge our state and community leaders to engage on behalf of the local people to achieve the best long-term outcome which recognises community values and aspirations as well as reinforcing Port Stephens as 'Incredible by Nature'.
"The headland remains one of the few non-urban forts protecting Australia which were particularly important for the protection of Newcastle and the RAAF Base at Williamtown during WWII and one of the few known surviving examples of this type of purpose-built facility."
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