WEST Wallsend’s butterfly caves should have an Aboriginal heritage order put on them to ensure their protection, Deputy Leader of the NSW Opposition Linda Burney says.
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The caves, which are so named because they attract many butterflies, are on a site where a 404-lot development is planned.
Ms Burney, who visited the caves recently, said they were a ‘‘striking part of the natural environment’’.
‘‘I gained a clear sense of the significance of the caves, which clearly had a huge Aboriginal women’s connection,’’ Ms Burney, who is also opposition spokeswoman for the Hunter, said.
Ms Burney, who is Aboriginal, said the proposed distance from the development to the caves was ‘‘completely inadequate’’.
Developer Hammersmith Management, a division of Roche Group, had proposed to build as close as eight metres to the caves.
Sugarloaf Action Group president Anne Andrews and member Melinda Brown are lobbying the state environment office to order the developer to ensure a 100-metre setback from the caves.
Roche Group development manager Wes van der Gardner said the company had revised its plan to provide a 20-metre setback.
‘‘That was the agreement reached following a site meeting between the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council, Lake Macquarie City Council and Hammersmith Management,’’ Mr van der Gardner said.
Lake Macquarie councillor Hannah Gissane will call on the council tonight to urge the joint regional planning panel to ensure Hammersmith does an Aboriginal cultural heritage management plan.
Cr Gissane said the caves’ significance warranted the management plan being provided upfront and before the panel made a final decision on the development.
Mr van der Gardner said the company had agreed to do the management plan in consultation with the Awabakal land council.
