NLC permit blitz at Cahills Crossing reduces unwanted visitors on Aboriginal Land

A permit blitz at Cahills Crossing caught almost 20 people without the right permits to travel through, with just six cars continuing their journey uninterrupted.

NLC permit blitz at Cahills Crossing.

Eighteen people travelling beyond Cahills Crossing and onto Aboriginal land were caught without permits during a “blitz” last week.

The Northern Land Council, Njanjma Rangers, and Traditional Owners set up a temporary checkpoint station to check drivers and passengers all had the required permissions to travel beyond the infamous crossing on Thursday and Friday.

An NLC spokesperson said 13 people arrived at the crossing without the correct documentation but were able to process an on-the-spot permit and continue their journey.

They said five vehicles without permits were turned around and six were allowed to continue across the crossing because they had already obtained permits.

NLC permit blitz at Cahills Crossing.

NLC Chair Matthew Ryan said permission could be granted for work, recreation, and travel purposes by his organisation through consultation with TOs.

“If you’re planning on entering Aboriginal Land, you need to have a permit – it’s as simple as

that,” he said.

“Asking the right people for permission is about respecting Traditional Owners, and it’s

about respecting the Country you’re on.”

Mr Ryan said the permit system was enforced by NT Police, who could refuse entry and issue “penalties” to travellers without the correct documentation.

Njanjma Aboriginal Corporation general manager and TO Grant Nayinggul said he believed “most people want to do the right thing” and hoped to highlight why permits were important.

“This is about respect,” he said.

“Traditional Owners are responsible for the people on our Country and if we don’t know who is visiting and what they’re doing, that’s not a good thing.

“I’m looking forward to running more of these permit checks at Cahills Crossing and in other

regions.”

It comes after a series of incidents at Cahills Crossing, with vehicles being swept off the road and children being left unattended by the water’s edge.