Cape York memorial plaques condemned as ‘ugly’
An avalanche of memorial plaques attached to cliffs at the Tip of Cape York has angered traditional owners who have slammed the practice as disrespectful and a “bad thing”. HAVE YOUR SAY
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AN avalanche of memorial plaques attached to cliffs at the Tip of Cape York has angered traditional owners who have slammed the practice as disrespectful and a “bad thing”.
An increasing number of plaques dedicated to the memory of would-be travellers who died before realising their lifelong dream of making it to the Tip scatter rock formations in the Punsand Bay area.
Dozens of cemented, glued and nailed plaques mark rock formations near the attraction’s walking trail carpark and at the very Tip.
Recent visitor to the area from Rockhampton Shantell Kennell acknowledged the plaques had created controversy.
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“(But) I think it’s great, they get their plaques and people throw ashes up there I just think it’s absolutely beautiful,” she said. “The spray painting is a bit far but the plaques are gorgeous.”
The Gudang/Yadhaykenu Aboriginal Corporation secured tenure over 211ha of land surrounding the site of the abandoned Pajinka Wilderness Resort last year.
But the claim doesn’t extend to the most northern point of the continent.
As a land custodian, corporation chairman Michael Solomon had a different view of on-country plaques and graffiti.
“It’s ugly; in 10 years there will be more, soon there will be a lot of plaques. They can spread their ashes there at the tip but don’t leave evidence,” he said.
“We all want to look after that area. It’s an icon to all Australians but for every place in Australia there is a traditional owner.
“It’s a bad thing. We don’t want the plaques on the stone.”
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines confirmed there was no native title claim over the area, which has been classified as an “esplanade” by Torres Regional Council.
Travellers placing plaques are not legally required to receive permission from traditional owners.
Mayor Vonda Malone said despite lack of a native title claim over the land it was of special significance to traditional owners as well as the broader Australian community.
She was opposed to any action that disrespected the land and impacted the natural beauty of the area.
“We don’t want the Tip to turn into a tip, a lot of people do disrespect it and leave rubbish there and graffiti, that’s unacceptable,” she said.
“Respect for the land, for the country must come first.”
Cr Malone said it was the responsibility of the Torres Regional Council to manage the site and protect the area for future generations.
“Any man-made items that are put on those areas can take away the beauty of the natural environment,” she said.
The situation is expected to be discussed at the council’s next meeting.
Do you think the plaques should be allowed? Let us know in the comments below.
Originally published as Cape York memorial plaques condemned as ‘ugly’