Kakadu sacred site battle over Parks Australia walking track lands in court for the first time

THE battle between Kakadu traditional owners and Parks Australia over a walking track allegedly constructed on a sacred site has landed in the Darwin Local Court for the first time

A dispute between Parks Australia and traditional owners over the popular Gunlom Falls has landed in court.

• Parks Australia charged over alleged illegal Gunlom Falls works by Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority
• Parks Australia boss Dr James Findlay resigns amid Kakadu National Park stoush, as Minister quietly travels to NT

THE battle between Kakadu traditional owners and Parks Australia over a walking track allegedly constructed on a sacred site has landed in the Darwin Local Court for the first time.

Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority prosecutors alleged Parks Australia built the track on the sacred site at Gunlom Falls without permission and close to another area that is restricted according to local Aboriginal tradition.

MORE COURT NEWS

Fatal crash mum to spend 12 months in jail after death of 7-year-old son

Inquest lays bare tragic petrol sniffing deaths of three children in remote NT communities

Man pleads not guilty to allegedly forcing sex worker into degrading acts for $25

AAPA alleges the works were carried out in breach of the Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, which is designed to protect places of significance to traditional owners in the NT.

Under the act, works can only be carried out on a sacred site with a certificate issued by the AAPA.

Authority chairman Bobby Nunggumarjbarr said Parks Australia needed to work with traditional custodians to ensure the proper management of the World Heritage listed national park.

Gunlom Falls. Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority prosecutors allege Parks Australia built a track on the sacred site at Gunlom Falls without permission. Picture: SUPPLIED

“Traditional owners are looking after this place the proper way,” he said.

“This area is very, very important to the custodians in their country. It is a significant

site for their future generations. This is why they have instructed AAPA to prosecute Parks.

“As the chairman of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority I am supporting the traditional owners who are very strong in wanting to protect their country.”

Mr Nunggumarjbarr said since the site’s custodians voiced their concerns about the works at Gunlom Falls, they and the AAPA had identified a way Parks Australia could rebuild the track away from the restricted area, ensuring public access without causing ongoing distress to traditional owners.

LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

“We need to keep working together to make sure that custodians and our sacred places are respected by Parks Australia,” he said.

“Custodians want to make sure tourists get to see these important places safely and that sacred sites are protected.”

The case returns to court for a directions hearing on November 23.

Follow @jas_walls