Historic day for the Adnyamathanha over Arkaroola

By Gerry Georgatos

The Traditional Owners of the Arkaroola sanctuary in South Australia's northern Flinders ranges are now able to rest easy with a new law banning miners from the region. Late into the night on February 28 the South Australian Upper House passed legislation that will ensure protection of the environmentally sensitive lands.

Arkaroola is the settlement hub of a wilderness sanctuary in the Flinders region, adjacent to Gammon Ranges national park and Mawson plateau, 700 km north of Adelaide. The sanctuary was the powerful backdrlop to the 2002 film, The Tracker.

The legislation will also return to the Lower House for amendments moved by the Greens so that they are accepted. It was a historic day as Arkaroola finally secures protection.

SA Greens MP, Mark Parnell said, "It has taken a long time, however finally a law has been passed that ensures the permanent protection of the world-famous mountains of Arkaroola."

The Greens series of amendments will ensure appropriate consultation with Adnyamathanha Traditional Owners. "If a future government wants to let miners back in, they will have to overturn this Act of Parliament. I am totally confident this will never happen," said Mr Parnell.

Environment minister Paul Caica said the passage of the unprecedented legislation would ensure the cultural, natural and landscape attributes and characteristics of Arkaroola were protected for time to come.

"The Arkaroola area is a significant place for the Adnyamathanha People and their connections with this place remain strong and vibrant," Mr Caica said.

The legal protection is the culmination of a long-running community and Greens campaign to ensure this part of of South Australia is no longer threatened by damaging mining activity.

"This is a wonderful, historic day," said Greens Parliamentary leader Mark Parnell.

"It is wonderful that all sides of politics have finally accepted what the Greens have been arguing all along - that some places are simply too precious to mine," he said.

In passing the Bill, the Greens moved the two successful amendments to ensure appropriate consultation with the Traditional Owners from the Adnyamathanha people over the management of the land.

"As this is such an important piece of legislation, it is vital we get it right and ensure that all Traditional Owners have a say in how Arkaroola will be managed," said Mr Parnell.

"The Greens have been very proud to stand alongside the Sprigg Family, Adnyamathanha Elders and the many passionate environmental and heritage campaigners from across the state and across the world who have fought to protect this precious place.

"They can all be very proud of what they have achieved," he said.

South Australia's Arabunna Elder, and anti-Roxby Downs campaigner, Kevin Buzzacott, said, "This is an inspiration for all of us in our struggle to protect our lands for our children and their children from the risks of uranium mining." Mr Buzzacott is being represented by SA's Environmental Defenders Office in the Federal Court against BHP Billiton's expansionist "Olympic Dam" open-cut mine plan - if it happens it will be the world's largest open-cut mine, producing uranium, copper, gold and silver.