Adnyamathanha Heritage Site

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (25 August 2021).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Premier and the Minister for Environment and Water have advised:

Every effort has been made to follow due process regarding the works at this site.

The park is jointly managed by the state government and the traditional owners through the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park Co-management Board. Of the board’s eight members, four are Adnyamathanha community representatives nominated by the Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands Association (ATLA). The board is established under a co-management agreement and ensures the Adnyamathanha community is fully involved in decisions regarding management of the park.

Work at Arkaroo Rock is being undertaken by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), including upgrades to the existing car park area, which have commenced following appropriate investigations that did not identify any heritage sites in the car park area. Further proposed works including walking trail infrastructure and developing a new viewing platform at the rock art site, which have not commenced, are being progressed under the notifiable acts process as required under the co-management agreement. DEW is also continuing to engage the Adnyamathanha community members through their community representatives and Adnyamathanha rangers in this work.

To ensure there were no known heritage sites in the car park areas, DEW completed a search of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (DPC-AAR) central archives. This search identified no known heritage sites within the footprint of the existing car park area or proposed works.

DEW also notified ATLA through its special administrator, pursuant to the Indigenous land use agreement and consulted extensively with the board on the proposed works well before work commenced in the car park area. ATLA did not respond, while the ATLA representatives on the board approved the works in the car park to proceed.

When works commenced at the car park, DEW engaged Adnyamathanha rangers to observe all ground-disturbing works in the car park area to ensure the Adnyamathanha community had assurance there were no heritage sites or objects being disturbed in the area of the works.

Neither DEW or the ATLA representatives on the board were aware of potential damage to cultural heritage at the car park location until concerns were raised by the Adnyamathanha Yura Language and Heritage Association (AYLHA). DEW ceased work on the car park until AYLHA’s concerns could be investigated.

DEW is currently engaging with all parties, including ATLA, through its special administrator and AYLHA to conduct an onsite heritage inspection prior to any works recommencing on the car park. This is to ensure all concerns are addressed.

In June 2021, DEW commenced the process for a section 23 permit under the act for all other proposed works at the rock art site, including construction of the new viewing platform and protective barrier, as the rock art site itself is a registered Aboriginal site. No works will commence on these aspects of the project until approval is granted pursuant to the act.