Balmoral Beach Aboriginal Land Claim: Part of a ‘prestigious’ and affluent suburb laid claim to by Aboriginal group

A Sydney council is set to debate a confidential Aboriginal Land Claim request for a $100million block of land at Balmoral Beach, without anyone from the public in attendance. 

Mosman Council, on Sydney’s lower North Shore, will discuss the confidential matter behind closed doors on Tuesday night, with the 4000sq/m area of parkland between Botanic Road and Plunkett Road sitting just off of the Esplanade.

Balmoral Beach is widely considered to be one of Sydney’s best family beaches featuring a strip of vibrant cafes and restaurants surrounded by some of the city’s most ‘prestigious’ real estate.

A Sydney council is set to debate a confidential Aboriginal Land Claim request for a $100million block of land at Balmoral Beach, without anyone from the public in attendance 

Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act of 1983, Indigenous communities in NSW have the potential power to claim Crown Land in compensation for historic dispossession of territory.

There are, however, a number of restrictions.

The land must be able to be sold lawfully, not used or occupied, not needed for residential lands, nature conservation or a public purpose and not impact on other Native Title claims.

Former Prime Minister and member for Warringah Tony Abbott told 2GB he fears similar claims could increase if the Voice referendum is successful.

‘I’m a little reluctant to comment on a land claim that I know nothing about,’ Mr Abbott said.

‘Except to say that there is nothing happening in this space that’s not likely to accelerate and intensify should the Voice be established.’

 Balmoral Beach (pictured) is widely considered to be one of Sydney’s best family beaches featuring a strip of vibrant cafes and restaurants surrounded by ‘prestigious’ real estate

Mosman Council, on Sydney’s lower North Shore, will discuss the confidential matter behind closed doors on Tuesday night, with the 4000sq/km area of parkland between Botanic Road and Plunkett Road sitting just off of the Esplanade

Tonight’s debate topic can be found on the 176th page of the 177 page agenda for the ordinary council meeting. 

‘The Manager Governance recommends that the meeting be closed to the press and public for that part necessary to consider information concerning the nature and location of a place or an item of Aboriginal significance on community land,’ the agenda reads. 

‘It is recommended that it be dealt with in closed session in the Confidential Reports section of the general order of business and Council resolve accordingly.’