NSW Liberals betray Australians over National Park lock-out based on race. We are looking at widespread racial discrimination enforced by the state government
Marc HendrickxPhoto: Marc Hendrickx
In June this year, the New South Wales ‘Liberal’ government announced plans to hand over control of all our NSW National Parks to Aboriginal Groups that live nearby. Now, with the release to the Wollumbin Aboriginal Place Management Plan (Mount Warning National Park) by NSW ‘Liberal’ government Minister for Environment and Heritage, the Hon James Griffin MP, and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Tourism, the Hon Benjamin Franklin MP, we see how future access to our collective natural heritage will be managed.
In short, it means ignoring dissenting Aboriginal voices, closure of the park, banning public access under the threat of $550,000 fines, and removing the summit lookouts, helipads, and presumably the important geodetic survey markers – all trace of Western culture. The plan even allows for copyrighting the image of Mt Warning.
What was once billed internationally as a magnificent walk to witness the first sunrise in Australia will soon be the exclusive property of a small group disgruntled activists who, like Tolkien’s Gollum, want to keep ‘the precious’ for themselves.
If this is a taste of things to come the public will no longer have any National Parks in NSW to enjoy.
Key points about the plan (extracts in italics).
Public Access will be banned:
Once the plan is in place the act of respectfully walking to the summit on the 110-year-old track built by locals will constitute ‘harm’ and attract a fine of up to $550,000. Where on earth does this seem a reasonable and proportionate response to someone bushwalking on a long-established track? In comparison, damaging or desecrating a Western Cultural place attracts a maximum penalty of a mere $4,400.
Mt Warning is one of the best preserved eroded shield volcanoes on the planet and has been used for many decades as a showcase of volcanic landforms to teach upcoming geologists about volcanic processes. But soon, even access for scientific purposes will require a nod to myth and superstition as any requests for access will be ‘based on cultural guidance from the WCG and be done on a case-by-case basis’.
Removing lookouts and other signs of western civilisation:
All traces of Western Civilisation is to be removed!The entire park will be closed:
It was developed and implemented in secrecy:
It’s sacred, but you will not be allowed to know why.Did not consult with all custodians:
Dissenting views of Aboriginal elders like Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd and Ngaraakwal/Githabul elder Harry Boyd were not taken into account. Marlene famously stated before she died in 2007: ‘I do not oppose the public climbing of Mt Warning – how can the public experience the spiritual significance of this land if they do not climb the summit and witness creation!’ Her inspirational message is missing from the plan.The plan is built on extremist interpretations of Australian colonial history:
No wonder the plan is flawed when the very foundation is built on a lie.Embraces superstition and myths:
We can respectfully enter any church, mosque, or temple on the planet. In Australia, we now ban access to nature’s temple. The plan indicates this new signage will be placed at the base of the track:Sexist:
Not only does the plan discriminate against non-Aboriginal people it discriminates against Aboriginal women, some of whom do not agree Mount Warning is a Men’s area:Impact extends outside park:
The plan’s influence extends outside the park and provides for ‘removal of infrastructure’ on overlooking spurs and ridges that impacts the purported ‘cultural values’. How many local residents with views of Mount Warning will need to relocate? How many power lines and communication towers will need to be demolished so a few are not offended?Discrimination:
While the public will be banned from the summit and park, access for the select and privileged members of the Wollumbin Consultative Group (WCG) will continue. That is if they can complete the ‘dangerous and difficult’ walk to the summit. Perhaps a chair lift will be required.Inconsistent:
Despite a desire by the WCG to continue to have access to the summit the track will be allowed to overgrow? Perhaps a chairlift is planned? Or maybe the state government will provide a helicopter for cultural access?No doubt the public will continue to bear the cost of maintaining access for a select few.
Existing infrastructure in good condition – but let’s rip it out:
For over 20 years NSW NPWS have been on a mission to ban the public from the mountain. Sadly with the acquiescence of a weak-kneed morally bankrupt ‘Liberal’ government this has now come to fruition. One wonders how the bureaucrats will be able to sleep having destroyed public access to so much awe and wonder.
Which National Park will be next?
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