Traditional Owners may close popular Kakadu site as court case rages on
GUNLOM Falls, one of the jewels of Kakadu National Park, could be closed to the public as the court case between Traditional Owners and Parks Australia continues.
Northern Territory
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GUNLOM Falls, one of the jewels of Kakadu National Park, could be closed to the public as the court case between Traditional Owners and Parks Australia continues.
Traditional Owners, speaking to the ABC, allege there had been a lack of respect for sacred sites by Parks Australia and so were looking to make their point through the possible closure of the falls. Gunlom Falls is currently closed due to the wet season.
The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), which is responsible for overseeing the protection of Aboriginal sacred sites across the NT, has taken Parks Australia to court for allegedly carrying out work at Gunlom Falls “without an authority certificate”.
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It stems from the upgrading of the walking track which AAPA allege was constructed on a scared site and close to a restricted area.
Parks Australia National Parks director Jody Swirepik said they had received the relevant certificates from AAPA to rectify the path.
“In the Open Letter to AAPA, the Director of National Parks acknowledged that there were concerns surrounding the process that was followed in relation to the Gunlom site and was genuinely sorry for any distress caused,” she said.
“The Director of National Parks acknowledges the importance of sacred sites and the shortcomings in the process adopted for the Gunlom works and has provided an assurance to Traditional Owners that the shortcomings will not be repeated in the future.”
All other nearby sites are expected remain accessible to the public once opened for the Dry.
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