Juukan Gorge inquiry: fighting for heritage

REPRESENTATIVES of the Djab Wurrung Traditional Owners, Victorian Traditional Owners Land and Justice Group, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, Yorta Yorta Nation and Rodney Dillon, chairperson of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Council, will appear before the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia this Friday, March 19.

The inquiry into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge will examine the struggle to protect Indigenous heritage in Victoria and Tasmania, with a public hearing by video conference.

In Victoria, the Djab Wurrung people have experienced cultural heritage destruction with the removal of a Directions Tree due to a Victorian highway duplication project. Their loss has been compared to losing a church or other spiritual place, highlighting the importance of such trees.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has been angered by the fact that the sacred Wargata Mina cave in southwest Tasmania is controlled by the Tasmanian Government, despite being owned by the Aboriginal community. The community is particularly distressed over the possibility of improper access to the cave by non-Aboriginal people.

The Yorta Yorta Nation, after having their Native Title claim dismissed, signed a historic agreement with the Victorian Government recognising them as Traditional Owners of a large area of land, enabling them to protect their cultural heritage. In 2020, the Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner Land Management Board finalised a joint management plan with the government which will give them input into the management of Barmah National Park.

Northern Australia Committee chair Warren Entsch noted that the pain experienced by First Nations peoples over loss of heritage is a national issue, effecting Indigenous communities in every jurisdiction.

"The committee understands that there can be conflict between the interests of First Nations peoples and other stakeholders," Mr Entsch said. "We need to get better at resolving these conflicts.

"There must always be consultation with First Nations peoples by government, who must properly consider the importance of cultural heritage before development decisions are made."

A program for the public hearing is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 19 March 2021
Time: 9am to 3pm AEDT
Location: by video/teleconference

The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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