By JESSE GRAHAM
INDIGENOUS community members are being asked to share their thoughts on the future of Galeena Beek, with a belonging place on the cards for the vacant Badger Creek properties.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Tim Bull visited Healesville on Tuesday 17 June to announce a working group which will be formed to determine the future of the Healesville properties.
The working group will comprise representatives from the Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association (HICSA), the traditional landowners – the Wurundjeri people, Wandoon Estate, local elders, Worawa College and Coranderrk Aboriginal Housing.
Mr Bull met with Seymour MP and Eildon candidate Cindy McLeish, along with representatives from HICSA to discuss the working group as well as visit the properties.
One of the options on the table is the formation of a ‘belonging place’, which would act as a civic centre for the Indigenous community in Healesville and its surrounds.
Mr Bull said Healesville had a rich Indigenous history, and that there was strong interest in revamping and using the Galeena Beek properties for community use.
“In 2013, the liquidator undertook a consultation process on the potential future use of the Galeena Beek properties, which recommended forming a representative working group, to provide firm direction on the best way to go,” he said.
The Galeena Beek properties were formerly used as an Aboriginal Cultural Centre and have been vacant for years.
A series of apartments was proposed for the site in 2008, but the company leasing the land has since gone into liquidation.
Ms McLeish said a belonging place would allow service providers a working space, while reflecting the strong Indigenous cultural elements in the area.
Mr Bull said organisations involved with the working group had been requested to nominate a representative for the working group in the coming weeks.
