Aboriginal community wins police station
Image: The La Perouse Aboriginal community has gained possession of the former Malabar Police Station, after more than two years and a string of court battles.
The La Perouse Aboriginal community has gained possession of the former Malabar Police Station, after more than two years and a string of court battles.
The NSW Land and Environment Court upheld the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council (LPLALC) appeal after establishing the site was not occupied or used for community purposes.
This made the former police station claimable under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW).
The LPLALC’s chief executive, Chris Ingrey, said the previous state government‘s decision to leave the site vacant, after the 2009 land claim was denied, instigated a second Aboriginal land claim.
“The property was clearly not being used for its intended purpose and we’ve acted on that,” Mr Ingrey said.
“The second claim was also refused on the grounds that the property was being used for policing purposes.”
However, the LPLALC appealed the decision in the NSW Land and Environment Court where it was decided the Minister for Lands “failed to establish the site was being lawfully used and occupied at the date of claim”.
After the 2009 claim, Labor MP for Maroubra, Michael Daly, was appointed Police Minister and sought to use the site for a domestic violence support unit.
Mr Daly said: “I’m not disappointed that the site was granted to the La Perouse Aboriginal community. I’m just concerned because we had the opportunity to establish a domestic violence support unit in that building.”
The former police minister said domestic conflicts were prevalent in the area.
“We are very short on domestic violence support, and I spent $300,000 on refurbishing the police station so locals can use it,” he said.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Dengate from the Eastern Beaches LAC said: “We know that it is under-reported and we are attempting to lift the rates of reporting.”
“Any opportunity to bring in domestic violence support workers should be seriously looked at.”
Mr Daley has written to the Aboriginal Land Council asking it to consider developing a domestic violence support unit at the site.
When asked if they will consider the development, Mr Ingrey said: “Once the title is transferred the LPLALC will be pleased to accept proposals from organisations who wish to occupy the property.”
Mr Daley said before the last state election the Liberal Party promised to keep the Malabar Police Station.
“I don’t care if they use the old one or they have to buy a new property – I‘d like to see them honour that promise,” he said.
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