SEAN GORDON
OPPOSITION: Cr Greg Best (in orange tie) and protesters at the Halekulani site.
SEAN Gordon is the CEO of the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council and he has a dream.
His dream is to have his 9000 strong community come to grips with the "real economy" and through it create affordable home ownership.
"We aim to be self-supporting; to finance our own projects in education, health and affordable housing," Mr Gordon said.
"That's what I call the real economy and being part of that is what we Aboriginal people have never managed to do but that has to change, and it will change."
These are not empty words.
Starting late September is a 109-lot subdivision on the corner of Roper Road and The Pacific Highway, at Blue Haven.
"The first stage of 44 lots will start with the construction of 14 lots. This project will provide Aboriginal people with affordable homes they can buy and be proud of," he said.
Mr Gordon said safeguards are already being put in place to help Aboriginal people develop financial literacy.
"It's all very well having a home, but you have to pay the mortgage and the bills which is why we are developing a special financial education program with Westpac Bank."
The Darkinjung proposal for 251 homes at the Land Council's Halekulani lakeside land (Page 1 of last week's Lakes Mail) is also part of the Aboriginal quest for financial and social independence.
The proposal would provide manufactured homes priced from $70,000 to $200,000 with land site leases expected to be around $130 to $150 per week, including garden maintenance, security and community facilities.
"With 6000 hectares, we are the biggest private landholder on the Central Coast so we have every prospect of being able to achieve our goals," Mr Gordon said.
"But we have to be sure we use our land wisely. Hopefully, we could become a role model for other Aboriginal communities to help them provide and pay for their own education, health and housing," he said.
"Our Halekulani development is yet to be determined by council and all we ask is that it is assessed totally on its merits without involving any politics.
"The reason why it is a development based on manufactured homes is because, unlike the Blue Haven project, we will retain the land title at Halekulani.
"A small number of homes will be retained there for our aged care needs and affordable housing for our people but the rest will be available to the open market as either low-cost housing or for tourism," he said.
Last week, a group of residents met with Wyong councillor Greg Best at the Halekulani site to voice their opposition to the proposal.