Introduction
The Central Coast of New South Wales is experiencing a severe housing and homelessness crisis, characterised by escalating rents, chronic under-supply, and record numbers of households in crisis accommodation or rough sleeping (Homelessness NSW, 2025). While these pressures reflect state and national trends, localised factors are exacerbating the situation. A coordinated activist network led by Coast Environmental Alliance (CEA), its principal figures Jake Cassar and Lisa Bellamy, and individuals claiming non-Aboriginal “GuriNgai” identity have actively obstructed lawful, Aboriginal-led housing and infrastructure projects. These interventions undermine Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs), suppress supply in well-located areas, and, by delaying projects, directly worsen homelessness outcomes (Bungaree.org, 2025b; Guringai.org, 2025n).
Campaign machinery and obstruction of supply
Between 2023 and 2025, CEA and its affiliates conducted sustained digital and offline campaigns against Darkinjung LALC (DLALC) and Metropolitan LALC (MLALC) initiatives. Detailed analysis of CEA’s Facebook output shows a pattern of rebranded pages, such as “Saving Kariong Sacred Lands,” recycling identical personnel and messaging, creating a false impression of broad independent opposition (Guringai.org, 2025d). Campaign narratives repeatedly misrepresented statutory planning instruments, exaggerated ecological impacts, and elevated unverified “custodians” over recognised Aboriginal bodies (Guringai.org, 2025f; Guringai.org, 2025j).
The Kariong development case illustrates these tactics. Campaigners mythologised a single angophora tree as a totemic site, invoked debunked pseudo-archaeological claims such as the Kariong glyphs, and characterised DLALC as a corporate threat to “sacred lands,” despite DLALC’s statutory obligations and cultural heritage protections (Bungaree.org, 2025a; Guringai.org, 2025e). This framing generated petitions, complaints, and appeals, each adding procedural delays and financial risk. In a constrained housing market, these lost months translate into foregone completions and increased scarcity-driven rent inflation (Guringai.org, 2025m).
Simulated custodianship, cult dynamics, and conspirituality
Research on “simulated custodianship” demonstrates that the non-Aboriginal GuriNgai network and CEA employ identity appropriation, ceremonial mimicry, and charismatic leadership to construct alternative “authority” systems that displace legitimate Aboriginal governance (Guringai.org, 2025q; Guringai.org, 2025l). These practices are reinforced by cultic dynamics, sovereign citizen–style pseudolaw, and “conspirituality” narratives, blending environmentalism with conspiracy and wellness-prepper subcultures (Bungaree.org, 2025c; Bungaree.org, 2025d). The resulting moral spectacle casts lawful Aboriginal development as a violation of culture, creating durable community opposition pipelines that obstruct supply (Guringai.org, 2025g).
Climate dimension: undermining LALCs in the energy transition
LALCs are strategically positioned to deliver climate-aligned housing and renewable energy projects that address both decarbonisation and housing shortages (Guringai.org, 2025a). NSW policy frameworks emphasise LALC leadership in renewable energy zones and transmission corridors (Guringai.org, 2025b). CEA’s campaigns, however, actively delegitimise these councils, opposing projects that could integrate conservation, housing, and renewable energy. This dual obstruction suppresses supply and delays climate adaptation, further exposing vulnerable populations to housing stress linked to climate impacts (Guringai.org, 2025b; Guringai.org, 2025k).
Consequences for homelessness
Empirical mapping of housing justice obstruction on the Central Coast links CEA-aligned campaigns to measurable housing opportunity costs (Bungaree.org, 2025b). Delays to Aboriginal-led housing reduce the number of dwellings available in high-demand areas, which increases rents, displaces lower-income households, and accelerates flows into homelessness. Homelessness NSW (2025) identifies such bottlenecks as critical in driving the region’s “out of control” crisis, where service capacity is overwhelmed and the duration of homelessness episodes is lengthening.
Recommendations
Councils, agencies, and media should adopt verification protocols prioritising engagement with recognised Aboriginal people, community and organisations. Public-facing planning resources must clearly distinguish between absolute prohibitions and conditional pathways under the Central Coast Local Environmental Plan, reducing susceptibility to misinformation. Quantifying the housing and homelessness impacts of delayed projects will clarify the social costs of obstruction. Partnerships with LALCs to deliver climate-resilient, conservation-compatible housing should be prioritised, aligning with both state homelessness reduction targets and climate adaptation goals.
JD Cooke
References
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A Long Con, Gone on Too Long. 
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