The sacred women's site is a safe place for women and children to meet and is an area where female elders educate girls.An Awabakal woman hopes it unlocks doors to protect other sacred sites across the country.
The Butterfly Cave is a sacred Aboriginal women's site that has been used for generations by Awabakal women for cultural practices and sacred women's business.The women said they previously had to seek permission from the developer to access the site."It was absolutely wonderful to hear that news, the most wonderful day of our lives," Ms Harvey said.
In 2019, the cave and its surrounds were recognised by the federal government as a significant Aboriginal area. "This land's going to become part of the National Parks and Wildlife estate. It's going to be protected forever," she said.