Living in a Nightmare

Local legend says that after a brutal massacre by whitefella, Aborigines sang curses into land where Peter van Lieshout, brother of A-Mart billionaire John van Lieshout, has been trying unsuccessfully to build a "Village Community" for the last thirteen years.

Now linked in the proposed "Nightcap Village" development is a neighbouring property where more than twenty trusting investors provided over $2 million for purchase of properties in 2014-16, without receiving consideration or restitution.

For those who lost life-savings in the venture, the hurt and harm is curse enough to add flame to legend.

Mingungbal elders occupy property at 3222 Kyogle Rd, Mt Burrell

Marketing materials for Nightcap Village promote a "new paradigm" that returns "sacred land" to "sacred" aborigines, who are occupying the Mt Burrell properties.

Elders of the Minjungbal Tribe now claim to be the "true owners" of "Country" where they share a local brew and dream about "recreating the village" as a safe haven from the madness of the matrix.

Prospective new investors are welcomed by Minjungbal elders and offered share certificates with "tribal title" to a block of land, for just a small deposit of $100,000. "Vendor finance" for the next seven years is available.

3222 Kyogle Rd, Mt Burrell, occupied by sovereignty activists

Promotors of the land-share venture don't tell enthusiastic new buyers about the nightmares and hidden curses afflicting earlier investors: the suppressed stories of bank accounts drained empty, hopes turned to ashes and dreams that became dust when the bait was switched after it was bitten. 

In response to concerns that the original investors got shafted, potential new funders are assured that angry creditors have been "taken care of": their money was returned, or they will get a payment soon, or they don't want their life savings back, or they are just barking mad and like to fight.

Are the comforting assurances true?

A few of the early investors who are "accepted" have been invited to return in 2020, to occupy a "dwelling site". Others still trust promises of restitution, hoping to receive a patch of land to live on, or a payout in compensation for their loss. 

Concerned investors who from the outset insisted on accountability were "rejected" and evicted from the properties they had paid for. After five years of betrayal and threats, trust in the hollow offers of the pioneering Aborigines' more pallid cult leadership has been entirely lost. 

Mark McMurtrie, Adrian Brennock, Richard Moate marketing tribal title

Hopeful community members are given a tour and enjoy scenic vistas as they are introduced to this Australian communitarian venture. Potential new investors are encouraged to imagine their dreams come true in a sacred secret Eden called "Nightcap on Minjungbal".

Promotors don't mention claims that land title is void, or that litigation by earlier investors continues in a quest for specific restitution.

Sovereignty activist Max Igan promotes the land-grab

From Dreams to Nightmares

Trauma and conflict still haunt investors who poured their hearts and funds into the land-share venture and lost everything. Now, seeking vindication through legal process, they are threatened with retaliation for "holding up the project".

"Living in a Nightmare" was the apt title of a news report in the local Tweed Coast News in 2017, featuring Sarah and Tamati Kirkwood who promoted the venture in 2014-15. Now with five children they are just one of the families who invested life savings in this venture and received nothing in exchange except betrayal, loss and intimidation.

Tweed Daily News: "Living in a Nightmare"

Plans for 867 homes in Nightcap Village land-share scheme