A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Science, Technology and Society Program University of Wollongong REPRESENTATIONS . RATIONALES . POWER STOCKLAND TRUST GROUP’S PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN AND THE BATTLE OVER KURADJI SANDON POINT Colin Salter October 2003 Cover photo’s (from left to right): Sacred Fire, McCauleys Beach, 2002 Uncle Guboo & Friends at the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy, 2001 Sandon Point Community picket, 2001 Outside NSW state parliament, Macquarie Street Sydney, 20 March 2002 The Valentine’s Day Blockade, 14 February 2002 Photo’s not specifically credited were supplied by members of the local community. AUTHORS CERTIFICATION I, Colin Salter, declare that this thesis, submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the Science, Technology and Society Program, University of Wollongong, is wholly my own work unless otherwise referenced or acknowledged. The document has not been submitted for qualifications at any other academic institution. Colin Salter 8 October 2003 They will justify their actions in the name of 'development'... development? What the first peoples of the [world] need is 'recovery', not development. Recovery from the very same colonization, domination and genocide that multinational corporations want to perpetuate for their own gains today. Leonard Peltier. i REPRESENTATIONS . RATIONALES . POWER ii abstract The future of an area known as Kuradji Sandon Point, located 70km south of Sydney, is currently under dispute. The area is of immense significance to Indigenous people, indicated by its use as a burial ground, campsite and meeting place stretching back to the dreamtime. It is also a special place for the local community, comprising one of the last open spaces connecting the Illawarra escarpment to the sea. Community (non- Indigenous) struggles to keep the area open space stretch back almost 20 years, with the current dispute arising following the purchase of significant parcels of the area by Stockland Trust Group, a multi- billion dollar corporate entity with a major focus on the acquisition and conversion of free-hold lands for housing, in the late 1990s. This paper, an example of intervention-oriented research, comprises an analysis of the corporate public relations campaign mobilised by Stockland to marginalise, distort and overcome widespread community opposition to its proposal for the Kuradji Sandon Point area. The strategies and tactics adopted by Stockland to capitalise on power imbalances, specifically attempts to misrepresent, discredit and marginalise opposing viewpoints, are analysed with specific attention to chronological shifts in context, and the subsequent dynamic, responsive and pragmatic approaches to these shifts. A similar approach to Bent Flyvbjerg’s empirical case study of politics, administration and planning in the Danish town of Aalborg is adopted in this analysis, albeit with points of departure. Accordingly, five context specific propositions are developed that outline the relationships between rationality and power and knowledge and power implicit and explicit to the Stockland public relations campaign. iii REPRESENTATIONS . RATIONALES . POWER iv preface A FEW PERSONAL CONCERNS… This document focuses on the latest in an ongoing struggle over land and space – a struggle undertaken by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Thus, to provide an indication of the historical context of the current struggle, a brief overview of Indigenous histories and Indigenous Significance of the Kuradji Sandon Point area are included. I acknowledge that, as a non-Indigenous person, I am not fully aware, and never will have a complete understanding, of the Indigenous issues I have overviewed. Thus, whilst I have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and cultural appropriateness of what is included here, I apologise in advance for any oversights that may appear in this thesis – I sincerely hope there are none. I have only included details that Indigenous people have shared, and I have attempted to make no speculations or inferences based on this information. A main concern I had when first contemplating research into this struggle was the immense scope of the issue. This concern has continued to increase. As I delved deeper for more information, new issues arose that were more than worthy of attention. I still feel that my research has barely scratched the surface, and may not do justice to the issue. I ask that all who read this take this on board. I say this not to discourage, but to inspire others to tackle different aspects of this struggle. It is only through collective effort that what has transpired can be finally exposed for the benefit of all. v REPRESENTATIONS . RATIONALES . POWER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to the members of the Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy (SPATE) for the many hours they have allowed me to share with them, the generosity they have shown and support they have given me over many years. This has taken many forms, including the sharing of knowledge firstly for my personal benefit and secondly for this research. In the face of cultural destruction they are exposed to on a daily basis, they have stood strong when others would be unable. Their strength is an inspiration. I am also indebted to the local (non-Indigenous) community. I had previously worked with a small number of these people on a wide range of environmental and/or social justice issues, yet was not prepared for the depth of community strength that I witnessed when I became involved in this issue. My involvement in this dispute began in late 2001, almost 20 years after members of the community had made their first stand to save and protect the area as public space. The struggle has brought the community closer together and shown what an amazing, self-less, eccentric, eclectic and diverse group of people committed to issues they consider of utmost importance can achieve. They are also an inspiration. Many members of the local community, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have provided comments, feedback and insights on the numerous drafts of this work, stretching back to its conception. Yet, to thank only these people would be a major oversight. My research is only one small aspect of broader and, at the least, equally valuable efforts that have been undertaken by hundreds of people to highlight what is occurring at Kuradji Sandon Point. My appreciation and support goes out to all those involved in this, and other, struggles: without community struggle, there would be no community. I would also like to extend my gratitude to those not directly involved in the struggle who have helped in many ways. These include all those willing to listen when I have wanted to share thoughts and ideas, those with whom I have conspired, and those wanting to keep informed. The process of discussing and sharing has provided immense benefit. vi PREFACE When I first contemplated researching this case study, the support and advice of Rhonda Roberts proved invaluable. Without it, I do not know if both my knowledge and research would have occupied so much of my brain (and my life) as it does today. During this time, I also drew on the support and advice of David Mercer. He provided both an invaluable insight and views from a standpoint I had not contemplated. Thankyou. As this work draws to completion, I have increasingly required the support of my supervisor Brain Martin. He has selflessly provided advice and support whenever I have asked and at times when needed but not asked for. As the submission date closes in, I am sure I will rely on him further. This is thus a thanks both retrospectively and in advance. I would also like to thank those I have shared my non-research time with, including many of those undertaking their own research projects. They have provided the vast support that I have required. I hope they know who they are, and I hope to be there when you all need the same. vii REPRESENTATIONS . RATIONALES . POWER viii contents A FEW PERSONAL CONCERNS… ............................................................................................................... V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................................. VI 1. POWER, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INTERVENTION-ORIENTED RESEARCH ........................ 1 RECONSTRUCTIVISM, PARTISANSHIP AND INTERVENTION-ORIENTED RESEARCH ...........................4 THE RISE OF ANTI-ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS...............................................6 RATIONALITY AND POWER...........................................................................................................................7 THESIS OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................9 2. A DREAMING TRAIL, A LAND DEVOID… .................................................................................. 11 THE DREAMING… ........................................................................................................................................12 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION .......................................................................................................................13 A SACRED PLACE….....................................................................................................................................14 A TERRA NULLIUS