TWO Queanbeyan councillors have raised concerns about a lack of consultation following council’s decision to list the city’s showground as an Aboriginal Place.

The Queanbeyan and Palerang Regional Council voted to support the showground’s listing as an Aboriginal Place, on Wednesday (June 8), subject to Heritage NSW preparing an Aboriginal Place Management Plan.

The showground is built on the site of a ceremonial and burial ground, and was a significant meeting place for the Ngambri people, according to NSW Heritage.

It has already been listed on the State Heritage Register, recognising its significance as a recreational facility for Queanbeyan residents dating back to 1862, as well as its importance to Aboriginal people as a traditional meeting place.

At the council meeting, the vote in favour of the listing was carried, nine to two.

Councillors Jacqueline Ternouth and Mareeta Grundy voted against the motion, citing a lack of prior discussion and consultation on the matter.

“No consultation has occurred to date, and we haven’t been provided with the relevant information that I believe we should have to make an informed decision on this,” Cr Ternouth told “CityNews”.

“What does the listing actually mean, what’s the intention of the listing, what constitutes harm to the showground if it is listed as an Aboriginal Place, and what are we trying to protect that hasn’t already been protected under the showground’s listing on the State Heritage Register?”

The Queanbeyan showground is owned by NSW Crown Lands and run by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.

The nine-hectare recreational area was regularly used by the Ngambri people as a camping site, meeting place and corroboree ground, according to NSW Heritage.

The site was designated as a recreational area for the people of Queanbeyan in 1862, and hosted the first Queanbeyan show in 1893.

It’s understood that the request for the showground to be listed as a Aboriginal Place was initiated by the Ngambri Aboriginal Land Council.

While councillors Grundy and Ternouth say they not against the listing of sites with indigenous significance, they have questioned what implications the listing may have upon the current uses on the showground.

“We don’t have the adequate information about the implications of this decision and there’s been no consultation with the community about this,” Cr Grundy told “CityNews”.

“We shouldn’t be supporting a recommendation when there are too many unknowns, and little – if any – public consultation… it’s a dangerous cocktail.”

Deputy Mayor Esma Livermore, who spoke in favour of the motion, told the chamber it was a positive step towards reconciliation.

“Declaring the Queanbeyan Showground as an Aboriginal Place is about reconciliation, and this is an opportunity for positive change,” Cr Livermore said.

Ms Livermore – the council’s first female Aboriginal councillor – said the act will recognise and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage, and will not restrict the many community activities that take place at the showground.

According to council papers, Heritage NSW advises that “it is the intention that the current and historical uses of the showground would continue unfettered into the future, regardless of the declaration.”

“I have been looking into what is attached to an Aboriginal Place once its listed, and according to NSW Heritage, if you are planning an activity at an Aboriginal Place you may have to apply for an Aboriginal impact permit, which may or may not be granted, in applying for this permit you are required to prepare an Aboriginal heritage assessment report, conduct a consultation process with the local Aboriginal community, and pay a fee for that permit,” said Cr Grundy.

“The concern is that there will be implications and we need to know what they are because they may or not be workable in terms of what has been the common and current use of the site.”

As per council’s recommendation, an Aboriginal Place Management Plan will now be prepared by Heritage NSW in full consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders and Council.

“It seems as if the cart has been put before the horse,” Cr Ternouth said.

“There’s been no engagement with the broader community, with NSW Heritage, with the local Aboriginal community, or the showground committee, everyone should be consulted prior to council committing its full support.”