Council backs move to stop cultural centre sale

The Federal Government has intervened to prevent the sale of a New South Wales south coast Aboriginal cultural centre to a developer.

The move was supported last night by a meeting of Shoalhaven City Council.

The council voted to keep a covenant in place to ensure the land is used for Aboriginal cultural purposes.

The chairman of the Nowra Aboriginal Land Council, Sonny Simms, says council's decision to defer the motion allows time for the south coast community to be consulted about the proposed sale.

"Next step is to have a petition drawn up and presented right along the south-east coast from La Perouse to the border, all community groups, not only Aboriginal, but non-Aboriginal too, and they're taking an interest in this case too," he said.