Lismore City Council says it will consult with Widjabul Wia-bal people following the failure of a motion to halt a land handback in the region.
The Council initially voted to 37 hectares of the sleeping lizard site, which Elders describe as 'immensely significant', in July last year.
Six months later, a motion brought forward by Councillor Big Rob to halt action on this decision was shot down 10-1 at a council meeting on Tuesday night.
Uncle Mickey Ryan has been fighting development on the site for years.
"There’s burials up there for a start," he told NITV News.
"Artefacts have been found all over the mountain and the site itself is one of the most significant in the area."
The vote was preceded by a rally outside the Council building, attended by about 200 people.
Uncle Mickey Ryan addresses Lismore City Council. Source: NITV News
Speaking at the meeting on Tuesday, Uncle Mickey said it would be devastating to overturn the decision made last year, presenting the council with a petition, signed by 20,000 people supporting his fight.
Despite the decision, local Elders were disappointed that protection of their site was once again up for debate.
“We do things your way and we didn’t ask for anything and we hoped along that journey we made footsteps inwards to sit down as equals at the table," Aunty Thelma James told the council.
"Obviously we don’t feel we have become equal on something as important as this."
Uncle Mickey said ultimately he'd like to see the site in the hands of the Widjabul Wia-bal people so it can be protected.
"Leave it alone," he said.
"How do you keep something sacred? You leave it alone."
