An eviction stoush between Jerrinja Traditional Owners and the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council has been escalated to a third party.
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It is understood the Office of then Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act has appointed a mediator to work with the parties after communication broke down earlier this year.
In July there were dramatic scenes at the Jerrinja Aboriginal Community at Orient Point on when police were called over the attempted eviction of Aboriginal elder Rhonda Connolly.
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NSW Sheriffs' personnel with representatives of Southern Cross Housing, acting on a ruling from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) on behalf of the Jerrinja Aboriginal Land Council, attempted to evict long-time resident Rhonda Connolly, for non-payment of rent.
Graham Connolly Jnr and Ron Carberry, spokesmen for the Jerringa Traditional Owners group, said moves by the Jerrinja Aboriginal Land Council to impose rent on some of the elders and then evict them was "unjust", "unlawful" and "against their civil rights".
In August, they called on the NSW Aboriginal Land Council to stand down the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council (JLALC), saying the community has "lost faith" in the elected organisation.
Tensions are still high in the community.
Mr Connolly says he understands the evictions are to continue, and the Lands Council has made no efforts to meet with the community.
A spokesperson for Southern Cross Housing said no evictions had taken place yet.
"We have been trying desperately to engage with the remaining residents who refuse to pay rent," the spokesperson said.
"The Sheriff's Office does have Warrants of Possession and unfortunately it appears inevitable that evictions will take place at some stage."
Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council confirmed the Office of the Registrar of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act had become involved, but said it would be "highly inappropriate" to make any further comment.
In February 2019 NSWALC placed JLALC under a Performance Improvement Order to outsource its housing management and, to comply, JLALC approached Southern Cross Housing to act as its managing agent.
The decision was made at the board rather than members level, which under Land Rights Act and the performance improvement order did not require the decision to go to JLALC members.