Hundreds Push Back Against Aboriginal-Only Group Home in Quiet Suburb

More than 900 people in a coastal town of less than 6,000 have written to the local council objecting to the planned project.

An Aboriginal flag is seen in Bondi Beach during Australia Day celebrations, in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2022. AAP Image/Jeremy Ng

Residents of a New South Wales waterfront suburb inhabited by families and the elderly are fighting plans for an Indigenous “group home” to be built in their midst.

Documents relating to the proposal describe the possibility of the home being used by the disadvantaged and disabled, but also leaves scope for it to be used for drug and alcohol rehab as a “halfway” house.

The plans also stress the importance of on-site staff to have duress alarms, and for sturdy fences to prevent breaches from “unauthorised people.” It also states that a comprehensive CCTV system be built.

Summerland Point sits between Newcastle and Gosford, around 1.5 hours north of Sydney. It is a quiet and idyllic suburb without a local police station.

The documents filed with Central Coast Council show planning has been in place for the facility to be located on the grounds of a former school on Summerland Road, since 2023.

While ADW Johnson town planners submitted the paperwork for the project, The Epoch Times understands the land is owned by Yerin Aboriginal Health Services, who were contacted for comment.

More than 900 submissions against the project have been lodged by concerned locals in a township where the population sits at just under 6,000 residents.

A planning image submitted to the council shows the scope of the project. Screenshot/The Epoch Times

In one submission, an elderly resident expressed concerns about the community potentially hosting drug and alcohol addicts or criminals.

“How ridiculous to put addicts so close to a place that sells alcohol,” the submission stated. The author’s details were redacted.

“We don’t have any police presence here, am I expected to spend money on security cameras and take up arms?

“The development would also have a negative consequence on property values.”

The resident said they understood the home’s potential residents would have to go somewhere, but said Summerland Point was not a suitable place.

Another local expressed concerns about the proposal being so close to clubs, as well as the lack of local public transport.

“There is no reason to put this proposed property in an already under-serviced part of the coast,” the submission said.

Planning documents for the facility paint a vague picture of potential tenants, listing a group home as serving the socially disadvantaged and disabled, or refuge shelter for men, women or children.

The plans also suggest potential for additional group home dwellings on the property, which could be built on the existing 15 sites earmarked for the project.

Public submissions for the project remain open until July 7.