Flinders Ranges traditional owners say independent review recommendations cannot replace loss of sacred culture

An independent review into the destruction of sacred Flinders Ranges sites has handed down its recommendations. But traditional owners say nothing will bring back their culture.

Flinders Ranges traditional owners left devastated by the destruction of sacred Adnyamathanha sites say nothing will compensate their cultural loss, with a list of recommendations set to be implemented to avoid future heritage debacles.

The Environment Department will implement seven recommendations arising from an independent review into the destruction, which occurred last year.

Headed by former District Court and Environment, Resources and Development Court judge Christine Trenorden, the review was launched after The Advertiser in September revealed earthworks had destroyed culturally significant Adnyamathanha sand hills linked to dozens of ancient storylines.

The sites were destroyed during construction of a new fence line on the Nilpena Ediacara National Park and Beltana Station boundary which went ahead without the consultation of traditional owners.

An independent review was launched after The Advertiser revealed sacred Adnyamathanha sites had been destroyed during unauthorised earthworks on the Nilpena Ediacara National Park and Beltana Station boundary. Picture: Supplied

Ms Trenorden’s recommendations included that any department and pastoral boundary fencing agreement be recorded in writing, that district park rangers receive First Nations engagement training and that NPWS consider adopting an early engagement protocol with relevant Native Title bodies to enable traditional owners’ input.

She also recommended park rangers be required to keep a daily log of agreements reached or directions given at on-site meetings and that the agreements are formally recorded in writing.

But Traditional Owner Beverley Patterson said no amount of recommendations would make up for the damage to Adnyamathanha culture.

“We can’t just put it back,” Ms Patterson said.

“It was a blatant disregard of our culture.”

Ms Patterson said traditional owners needed to be consulted in future to avoid further destruction.

Traditional Owner Beverley Patterson says the destruction was a “blatant disregard” of Adnyamathanha culture. Picture: Ben Clark

“We don’t ever want to see that happen again,” she said.

“All we ask is that our sites aren’t damaged.”

The review noted no registered significant sites were damaged, however, Ms Patterson and other traditional owners have maintained not all cultural sites are registered.

Ms Trenorden found National Parks and Wildlife Service staff did not explicitly give permission for borrow pits, used to add soil to the graded track running along the fence line’s boundary, to be dug but stopped short of directing blame at either the Environment Department or Beltana Station’s lessees for the destruction.

The station’s lessees engaged a contractor to begin the earthworks after receiving the go-ahead from an Environment Department employee.

However, it was not specified the work was only to be undertaken in areas previously cleared and not awaiting a cultural clearance from traditional owners.

“While it was for the Beltana Station ownership to fully instruct its staff and contractors, it was critical that NPWS ensure that its messages, permissions and instructions were fully conveyed,” Ms Trenorden wrote.

Environment Minister Susan Close labelled the destruction a “failure of Aboriginal heritage protection”. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

Environment Minister Susan Close labelled the destruction a “failure of Aboriginal heritage protection”.

“What occurred at Beltana was extremely upsetting for the Adnyamathanha people,” Dr Close said.

An Environment Department spokesman said Ms Trenorden’s findings and recommendations were welcomed.

“The earthworks have been particularly distressing to Adnyamathanha people, who were concerned sacred Flinders Ranges sites were disturbed by the earthworks,” he said.

“The department takes these matters seriously and places high importance on compliance, by the government and others, with obligations imposed through native title and Aboriginal heritage laws.

“The department has a long history of successful working partnerships with traditional owners, including the Adnyamathanha people in the Flinders Ranges, and wishes for that to continue.”