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ALHR condemns ‘out of step’ construction plans by Bathurst Regional Council
Ahead of International Women’s Day next month, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has criticised Bathurst Regional Council over plans to destroy a sacred ceremonial area located at one of the city’s tourist attractions.
Emma Musgrave
ALHR says plans to commence construction of a go-kart track at Wahluu (Mount Panorama) speak to severe issues, with the construction set to destroy a sacred Wiradyuri Women’s ceremonial area. Ironically, ALHR said, the construction is set to commence on International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021.
“In the same year, Bathurst Regional Council approved the development of a go-kart track on the site and later in 2018, approved controversial plans to lengthen the track.”
Jo Byrne, co-chair of ALHR’s Indigenous rights subcommittee, said ALHR is pleading with the Bathurst Regional Council to reconsider the commencement of the construction, calling on members of the council to instead “engage with the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation (WTOCWAC) in a manner that is consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
“The push to proceed with this development appears to be seriously out of step with international standards recognising that respect for Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalise their culture, including by maintaining and protecting archaeological and historical sites,” Ms Byrne said.
“The decision to proceed with the development despite outspoken and consistent opposition by Wiradyuri elders and other members of the local Aboriginal community really goes to the heart of issues which we keep seeing arising again and again – cultural genocide is real. We have just endured the destruction of the significant Juukan Gorge rock shelters in Western Australia and sacred Djap Wurrung birthing trees in Victoria. We now face losing sacred parts of Wahluu.
“It is clear Australia needs to urgently reform how consultation happens with Traditional Landowners to avoid further loss of irreplaceable cultural heritage.”
The timing of the planned construction coincides with government efforts to have greater representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at local, regional and national levels.
“Decision-makers at a local, regional and national level need to do more than pay mere lip service to the ongoing importance of Aboriginal cultural heritage. All Australian jurisdictions must reform their laws to provide First Nations people a greater say in the protection of their cultural heritage,” Ms Byrne noted.
“As proposals are currently underway for a First Nations Voice at local, regional and national levels, now is the time to examine how governments can work in partnership with First Nations people and allow them to have their say on the enactment or implementation of laws that are purportedly designed to protect their heritage.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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