Toowoomba North-South Transport Corridor proposal could threaten Aboriginal cultural site

It’s a perfectly-preserved Aboriginal initiation site as old as Stonehenge or the Great Pyramids. Now indigenous custodians fear the proposed North-South transport corridor will run just metres from it.

The proposed route of the controversial Toowoomba North-South transport corridor could sit just metres from one of Australia’s most important historical Aboriginal sites.

Indigenous custodians are “losing sleep” after it was revealed the 3000-year-old Gummingurru indigenous ceremonial site could be impacted by the new corridor, which is currently being planned by the Queensland government.

It is the latest chapter in the project’s troubled history and comes amid ongoing community anger at the length of consultation, potential land resumption and impacts on residents and the natural environment.

Jarowair-Wakka Wakka man Conrad Bauwens conducts a Smoking Ceremony. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Gummingurru custodian Conrad Bauwens, a proud Jarowair man of the Wakka Wakka nation, said the site near Gowrie Junction was a priceless link to the ceremonies and practices of Australia’s First Nations.

The site was known to tribes across southeast Queensland and used up until the 1890s as an initiation site for boys to enter manhood.

“It’s one of the most complex sites, because it’s not just the bora (ceremonial) ring, this has totem representations, other stone arrangements and other tribes’ totems — it also tells a creation story,” he said.

“This place really breaks down barriers, we have so many school groups come here.

“We also have some of our misguided indigenous youths (come here), and it’s powerful for them.”

A ceremonial (bora) ring at the Gummingurru Aboriginal historical site outside Toowoomba.

Mr Bauwens said he only found about the proximity of the corridor when he was contacted by a fellow resident.

“From what I can see (on maps), it goes within a couple of metres from the site itself,” he said.

“I’ve been losing sleep, I haven’t stopped thinking about it, it’s not going to happen man.

“I’ll lay down my life for this. It’s the equivalent of Stonehenge or the Pyramids, it’s about as old.”

After contacting Transport and Main Roads about it, two informal meetings have been held.

However, Mr Bauwens said he had been not been impressed by TMR’s conduct to date.

“They’re telling everybody that we’re working with them and having good conversations, but we’ve made our position clear – we don’t want it anywhere near us,” he said.

More than 200 people packed out the Gowrie Junction Progress Hall outside Toowoomba on Thursday night to ask questions of Transport and Main Roads staff over the controversial Toowoomba North South transport corridor.

Gowrie Junction forum leads to fiery exchanges

The ongoing consultation process on the problematic Toowoomba North South transport corridor remains a divisive topic, as residents continued to express anger and frustration at two community forums.

More than 200 people packed out the Gowrie Junction Progress Hall to listen to representatives from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, led by Southern Queensland regional director Bill Lansbury.

The small community has become the latest epicentre for community outrage of the proposed corridor, with some locals alleging it will split Gowrie Junction in two.

More than 200 people packed out the Gowrie Junction Progress Hall outside Toowoomba on Thursday night to ask questions of Transport and Main Roads staff over the controversial Toowoomba North South transport corridor.

Much like a number of the other sessions, the meeting saw TMR staff unable to prevent the flurry of angry questions and jeering remarks.

Key concerns included the road’s environmental impacts, its effect on the amenity of Gowrie Junction and how it could affect house prices.

At a key moment, TMR staff revealed the reason some people’s houses weren’t shown on maps used as part of the corridor proposal was because the mapping was from 2012.

A map of the proposed Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Residents on multiple occasions also complained that they weren’t sure what they were being asked for feedback on, calling on the department to further flesh out the vision for the corridor.

“We’re talking about a road but we don’t know what — are we talking about a road we should be getting on and off?” one man asked.

“The fact that you don’t know what that road looks like, how can any of us provide proper feedback?”

Further calls were made for Transport Minister Mark Bailey to extend the consultation period out by as much as six months.

The forum, hosted by Condamine MP Pat Weir, followed a Highfields event organised by his Toowoomba North counterpart Trevor Wats on Wednesday night.

Mr Watts reiterated his desire to see Mr Bailey come to Toowoomba to meet with locals.

“He said he didn’t want to politicise it, but he is the one person who can direct the department to change tact with its consultation and direction,” he said.

“I’ve been listening to the community and work to get the unanswered questions.”

It comes as a parliamentary petition sponsored by Mr Watts, which closes on August 18, has reached nearly 8000 signatures.