Time to Respect the Culture
Visitors could soon be banned from one of Australia’s most popular outback tourist destinations under a plan to protect the “sacred place” for its traditional owners.
Lake Eyre, now officially recognised as Lake Eyre/Kati Thanda, sprawls over a vast 9500 square kilometers in South Australia, renowned for its sporadic yet breathtaking floods.
Typically, Lake Eyre witnesses minor inundations every three years, significant floods every decade, and fills up only about four times in a century. These remarkable events transform the network of streams and lakes into vibrant hubs of life, drawing global attention and visitors from far and wide.
Nestled within the expansive 1.3 million-hectare Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park in the state's northern reaches, the lake holds special significance as a registered site under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988. Its management involves a collaborative effort between the state government and the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation.
A newly proposed management plan, recently unveiled for public feedback, proposes stringent measures to safeguard the lake's cultural and ecological integrity. It advocates for restricting recreational access to the lake bed and prohibits unauthorized entry on foot as a mark of respect for the Arabana culture and for visitors' safety.
Jason Irving, overseeing National Parks Programs with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, emphasizes the commitment to a genuine partnership with the Arabana people. He underscores the significance of respecting Arabana culture and traditions, urging visitors to refrain from venturing onto the sacred cultural site without permission.
Bronwyn Dodd, chairwoman of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the lake's profound cultural significance to their people. She underscores the collective responsibility to preserve both the lake and their cultural heritage.
Formal recognition of the Arabana people's native title over vast stretches of land, including the Elliot Price Conservation Park and most of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, underscores their custodianship role.
The draft plan emphasizes the sacredness of Lake Eyre/Kati Thanda in Arabana culture, highlighting its central role in their ancestral narratives. It stresses the inherent dangers associated with the lake and the need for cultural authority before accessing it.
Exceptions for essential management activities and emergency responses are outlined, alongside a provision for considering applications for commercial activities on a case-by-case basis. Cultural appropriateness, as determined by the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, will guide such decisions.
Efforts to ensure compliance with access restrictions will include ranger patrols coupled with public education initiatives. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about Arabana culture, promote culturally respectful interactions with Lake Eyre/Kati Thanda, and elucidate the rationale behind the access regulations.
The plan also underscores the potential for tourism initiatives celebrating Arabana culture to generate employment opportunities, foster cultural understanding, and enhance visitor experiences.
Strict regulations governing visitor behavior, including designated camping areas, day visitor zones, and vehicle tracks, are proposed to safeguard the lake's cultural and ecological values. These measures aim to prevent inadvertent damage to the delicate arid vegetation and the lake surface.
Trevor Wright, a scenic flight operator familiar with the area, affirms that the proposed plan formalizes existing safety practices and would have minimal impact on visitors. He emphasises the importance of sensible management to ensure visitors can enjoy the area safely and responsibly.
The finalization of the plan is anticipated later this year, marking a significant step towards preserving the cultural and ecological heritage of Lake Eyre/Kati Thanda for generations to come. Similar protective measures are in place for other culturally significant sites across the state, emphasizing the importance of respectful engagement with Aboriginal heritage.
