South Australian Opposition Leader David Speirs slams proposed Lake Eyre visitor ban

The opposition leader says “unproven lore” is not a good enough reason to ban the public from natural wonders, amid fears it will set a damaging precedent.

South Australian opposition leader David Speirs has slammed a proposal to ban visitors from walking on the bed of Lake Eyre, saying “unproven lore and anecdotal stories” should not be used to lock out non-Indigenous visitors from the site.

His comments come in response to a draft management plan that would further restrict recreational access to Lake Eyre, a move the government says would help preserve the cultural significance to the site and help make it safer for visitors.

Mr Speirs said closing sites for public access should “always be a last resort”.

“It is only through safe and sensitive access to our national parks that we can truly give people an opportunity to understand nature and sites of scientific and cultural significance,” he said.

“Unproven lore and anecdotal stories should not be used to lock certain groups out of our natural environment based on race, if this becomes common practice, the outcome will see far less people enjoy and value our natural world.”

Mr Speirs said access should only be banned after “a high threshold is reached and when real evidence is presented that access would pose a serious threat to the survival of biodiversity or the safety of visitors is at risk”.

A plane flies over Lake Eyre. Picture: Peter Rowe

Flood water entering Warburton Groove at the northern end of Lake Eyre in 2015. Picture Russell Millard.

The lake is a popular attraction and forms a part of the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, the second largest in the state.

It is co-managed by the state government and Arabana Aboriginal Corporation.

The Arabana people were granted National Title to the lake in 2012.

Arabana Aboriginal Corporation chair Bronwyn Dodd earlier said the site held a very special place of cultural significance and great importance to Arabana people.

“We are proud to share this part of our country but we urge you to respect our Ularaka (stories), lore and culture and not enter the lake,” she said.

A plane flies over Lake Eyre. Picture: Peter Rowe

Pelicans launch into the air at Lake Eyre’s northern end during floods in 2016. Picture: Mark Brake

Swimming, driving and boating are already restricted at the site but a local yacht club has voiced concerns that the plan will have national ramifications.

“Our South Australian members are particularly worried about this because they boat in many areas around the state that are also covered under native title,” Lake Eyre Yacht Club commodore Bob Backway said.

Environment Minister Susan Close said the proposal for visitors not to enter a sacred cultural site was both in recognition and respect for Arabana culture, and to ensure the safety of visitors.

“Swimming, driving, landing aircraft and boating are already prohibited on the lake under the National Parks and Wildlife (National Parks) Regulations 2016 which sat within David Speirs’ portfolio for four years,” she said.

“If Mr Speirs felt so strongly about access to Lake Eyre-Kati Thanda National Park, why didn’t he do anything while he was minister?”