Mooney Mooney and Peat Island Precinct Plan Credit:Urbis
Former Newcastle University architecture dean Lindsay Johnston has been involved in the development of Peat Island for the past 10 years.
“I have always thought that many of the existing buildings on the island could be repurposed and transformed into a boutique hotel, a cultural centre, art galleries and craft workshops,” he said.
While wanting to see the area revitalised, Mr Johnston, a local resident, said the Aboriginal heritage of the island must be at the forefront of any developments.
“It is so worthy of an Indigenous cultural site. So it really should be on the island in a poetic, new building looking out across the water, built in respect and tranquillity,” he said.
“To stick it on the mainland with a caravan park would really undervalue it.”
A further 267 dwellings, including 54 townhouses and 162 apartments, would be built on the mainland at Mooney Mooney.
Central Coast Council and the Department of Planning have begun discussions with the Aboriginal Housing Office about affordable and social housing in the area.
Peat Island and surrounding Mooney MooneyCredit:Wolter Peeters
But Ms Howie doubts social housing will come to fruition. “That is prime real estate. There is no way they are going to put community housing on there for black fellas,” she said.
Property and Development NSW acknowledged in its proposal that the development was likely to change the “character of the existing community”.
Ms Howie’s concern is the area’s heritage and Aboriginal history will be lost.
“An awful lot of my family were sacrificed in that area. My blood is ingrained in the soil down there.”
Central Coast Council said assessments had been prepared to ensure future uses “recognise and protect” the site’s significant Aboriginal and European heritage.
However, an impact statement for the project said a number of sites of significance had been identified and there was potential for these sites to be harmed.
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‘My family were sacrificed in that area. My blood is ingrained in the soil’
Source: Philippines Alive
