There are no Aboriginal heritage concerns which should hold up construction of the Orange Stadium, according to the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council (OLALC). 

OLALC CEO, Annette Steele, said the Land Council took cultural heritage very seriously and had programs in place to protect sites of significance. 

However, the Land Council has found no evidence that the site of the Orange Regional Sporting Precinct has particular significance in accordance with Aboriginal traditions, observances, customs, and beliefs. 

“There are many places of great cultural significance within the OLALC boundaries, but the stadium site isn’t one of them,” Ms Steele said. 

“The construction of the stadium will have no adverse impact on Aboriginal heritage,” Ms Steele said. 

Ms Steele pointed out that the site was previously a golf course and car racing track. 

“When a culture and heritage assessment of the site was undertaken as part of the planning no evidence of significance to Wiradjuri culture and heritage was found,” Ms Steele said. 

“There are also no objects of significance on the site registered with the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage’s Aboriginal Heritage Management System.” 

Ms Steele said that while construction on the site would have no impact on Wiradjuri cultural heritage, the stadium would be of great benefit to Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people in Orange. 

Ms Steele said the person making the heritage application had no association with the Land Council. 

“Under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, OLALC has responsibility for protecting and promoting awareness of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the Orange region,” Ms Steele said. 

“The individual making the claim is not a member of the Land Council, has no elected position and doesn’t even live in the area. This person does not speak for the Aboriginal community of Orange,” she said.

Ms Steele said Orange Land Council had repeatedly argued for the heritage legislation to be reformed so that it properly recognises who has the authority to speak for country. 

“The rules as they stand just encourage a free for all where any person claiming to be Aboriginal can make an application over any part of Australia, regardless of whether they have any authority or knowledge of that area.” 

“This situation fails to adequately protect culture and can hold up developments that are beneficial to Aboriginal people and the broader community,” Ms Steele said. 

Ms Steele said the Land Council had written to the Environment Minister, Senator Murray Watt urging him to reject the heritage application over the stadium site. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Gary Highland on 0418 476 940