My article in the Spectator.
https://spectator.com.au/2022/10/mount-warning-banned-which-park-will-be-next/
Mount Warning banned! Which park will be next?
In short it means
ignoring dissenting Aboriginal voices, closure of the whole park, banning all
public access under the threat of $550000 fines, 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 extremists who like Tolkien’s Golem 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.
The plan is essentially an ambit claim and represents an extreme end point of a negotiation. A responsible government would seek a compromise that provides a win for all rather than just cave into the demands of one party. A responsible government would govern for the many and not for a small group of extremists. 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” unprincipled 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?
Key points about the plan (extracts in italics).
Public Access will be banned
“Access
to Wollumbin AP must be restricted and managed.” “Public access is not
culturally appropriate or culturally safe, Wollumbin AP should not be a
recreational space for the public to visit or use for tourism (including use of
the image of Wollumbin AP for advertising purposes) or any other purpose.
Closure of the Wollumbin AP is sought immediately by the WCG’s Wollumbin
Aboriginal stakeholders.”
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 $550000. 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 $4400.
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 up coming 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 to be removed! “All existing infrastructure should be
removed with the minimal amount of impact.”
The entire park will be closed: “The WCG recommend further cultural
assessment toward a declaration and re-gazettal of all the Wollumbin National
Park (ie Mt Warning National Park) as an Aboriginal Place due to the multitude
of Aboriginal sites and the high cultural significance of all of the area
within the reserve.”
It was developed and implemented in secrecy. It’s sacred but you will
not be allowed to know why.
“Culturally
sensitive stories and cultural knowledge will not be shared with the public
through interpretive signage, community education/awareness activities or in
this management plan.”
Did not consult with true custodians. Dissenting views of Aboriginal
elders like Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd and Ngarakwal/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.
"Wollumbin
Mountain was observed by Captain James Cook on the 15 May 1770 during his
survey of the east coast. This journey marked the beginning of the systematic
invasion of Australia and all Aboriginal land by Europeans, leading to
indescribable trauma and destruction. Violent clashes in the 1840s to 1850s
between Aboriginal nations and cedar getters, and the defence of their lands by
these nations resulted in massacres, killings, ambushes and poisonings and the
movement of some Aboriginal people from the area."
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: “You
enter this Mountain breaking the traditional law and customs of the Bundjalung
people and the sacred and significant Mountain, under the Bundjalung
traditional laws and customs given to the 14 Bundjalung tribes by men. The past
Elders of all the tribes agreed to shut this Mountain, and you walk this track
without the consent of the Bundjalung people. As spoken by the Traditional
Owners as to uphold our traditional laws and customs with the wishes of past
Elders.”
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:
Appendix
B Baseline site condition report - Restricted to men
Appendix
F Plates from Baseline site condition report - Restricted to men
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?
“Development
within the views and vistas of Wollumbin AP could affect intervisibility to
important cultural sites. Impacts could include things like building on spurs
and ridges. Further suburban development within the views and vistas of
Wollumbin AP will impact on the aesthetics, connection to Country and the
cultural landscape which are integral to the cultural values of Wollumbin AP.
Removal of infrastructure will occur once the summit is closed in the future.”
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.
“Cultural
access by the WCG for cultural renewal and activities should continue and
continue after closure as culturally appropriate in consultation with NSW NPWS
in relation to access safety/condition of path.”
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? “The WCG’s preferred method for
erosion control of the Wollumbin Summit Track is not to bring in topsoil or
erosion barriers, but to close the track and allow Wollumbin Mountain to heal
itself, by allowing vegetation to grow over the track and stabilise sediments.”
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.
“Infrastructure
included helipads, viewing platforms, bench seats, timber and other
construction, steps, boardwalks, and ramps within Wollumbin AP and carparking
and other amenities at the base of the walking track. This infrastructure was
all in good condition, however the management goal of the WCG is to close
access to Wollumbin AP and remove the infrastructure.”
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