Western Highway duplication still faces roadblock from indigenous protesters

Hundreds have rallied against a Western Highway road safety upgrade, saying it will remove trees of cultural importance to the Djap Wurrung tribe. It comes after the Andrews government shifted the highway route to avoid two “birthing trees”.

Hundreds of people rallied on the steps of Parliament House against the road safety upgrade.

Tensions are rising over a $157 million duplication of the Western Highway as protesters arrive at state parliament to opposed the road safety upgrade.

The 12.5km section of road between Buangor and Ararat is notoriously dangerous, with more than 100 crashes since 2013 — including 11 fatalities.

But members of Aboriginal community the Djap Wurrung (also known as the Djab Wurrung) say the route of the upgrade will remove culturally important trees.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the route had been altered to minimise the impact on trees, and that it was now time to “get on and deliver this project” because of the risk to motorists’ lives.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: AAP

Ms Allan said the government had listened to and respected the views of groups that represent Djap Wurrung people, including Martang and Eastern Maar.

“In the last six years, 11 people have died on this stretch of road — close to one life lost every six months,” she said.

“A further 100 drivers have crashed, with more than 50 people seriously injured.

“We’ve followed the advice of independent experts, we’ve listened to and respected the voices of the two groups that represent the Djap Wurrung people, Martang and Eastern Maar — we need to get on and deliver this project.”

At parliament, protesters including former Greens MP Lidia Thorpe railed against the road, saying it would also trample on a Treaty in Victoria.

The protest today saw hundreds of people campaign at parliament — described by some organisers as an “offending colonial institution” in promotional material — and was backed by Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam.

Protesters against the route of the Western Highway upgrade near Ararat gather at Parliament House in Victoria. Picture: Alex White

Ms Ratnam said elders and women have not been adequately consulted and it was time the government “sit down and listen”.

“The duplication project cannot proceed as planned and the government must go back to drawing board,” she said.

But the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations backed the decision-making process surrounding the Western Highway.

It said the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation is the peak authority to speak on behalf of the Djap Wurrung clan, and has pursued a native title claim over this area since 2012.

Federation chief executive Marcus Stewart said to undermine the process now would be completely contrary to the principle of self-determination.

“What all of this public commentary is doing is undermining the existing representative structures of Traditional Owner Nations which have been long fought for and established over decades of struggle,” Mr Stewart said.

In February, the Andrews Government shifted the route of the road upgrade to avoid two trees referred to by members of the local Aboriginal community as birthing trees, and secured an agreement with the local Aboriginal Registered Party to proceed with the project.

We stand with the @dwembassy in their fight to save their cultural heritage #springst pic.twitter.com/LZVGmknIUu

— Samantha Ratnam - Leader of the Victorian Greens (@SamanthaRatnam) September 9, 2019

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Some members of the Djap Wurrung community still opposed the route, setting up camp on the proposed work site.

The duplication of this section of the highway had been expected to finish next year, but has now been pushed back to 2022.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the “deadly stretch of road” needed to be upgraded, adding that he was “hopeful that we can get a compromise” soon.

“It’s important we get on and build the road as outlined. There’s been significant compromise made already to change the alignment,” he said.

Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the registered Aboriginal parties had supported the route and he supported it being built.

Given the “massive increase in the road toll” and the need for safer roads, he said the government needed to sort out the issue.

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