Colin,
I have just been through a large part of Central Australia. Many areas are
off-limits and most are private cattle stations. The traditional owners of
indigenous land have the same rights to allow or exclude access as do any other
Australians, be they ranchers or suburban homeowners. The law does not
recognise size of block as pertinent to access - otherwise I'd have roamed all
over El Questro! It is unfortunate that access has not been granted but how
many cattle stations would allow 80 birdos into their lands, especially as they
could be liable for injury claims in the event of accidents etc. Traditional
owners have every right both at law and practically to restrict access to their
lands.
Cheers,
Graham Buchan
On 13/08/2010, at 4:29 PM, Colin R wrote:
> Hi All
> I have been reading this thread with interest. Being originally from
> Ireland I have no experience in access permits required for what appears
> to me to be a public access area. I know the land is 'granted' to the
> local inhabitants and if it was the size of a suburban block I would
> completely understand - I don't want strangers wandering around in my
> back yard either.
> But we're not talking about a quarter acre or even a 10acre block here
> are we? with cattle? or crops? We're talking about a hunting ground of
> vast proportions with no facilities - it's not even a reasonable
> comparison. It seems to me to be a ridiculous situation. Is this not a
> land for all Australians?
> I can appreciate that the locals don't want people wandering anywhere
> all over the place possibly disturbing the game or interfering with
> their sacred sites, but visitors would stick to the few established
> tracks across what seems to be a wilderness, wouldn't they? The amount
> of time anyone from 'outside' would spend there would be severly limited
> anyway and, with agreement, visiting vehicles could avoid settlements to
> reduce any impact on the inhabitants.
> Personally I see this as an outrageous outcome - that 80 or so birders
> can be denied access to a huge area of virtually uninhabitated
> countryside when a once in a lifetime opportunity is presented. There is
> no intention to damage the environment - far from it, injure, capture
> or destroy wildlife - the very opposite, or inhabit, stay or live in the
> area for more than a couple of days.
> The only outcome from my perspective, I'm afraid, is a further loss of
> respect or interest in understanding the aboriginal beliefs and claims.
> I'm sure there are those of you who will claim to understand their
> fears, appreciate their needs and recognise their beliefs. Sorry - this
> is an all Australian land (incidentally I am an Australian citizen too)
> and my hard earned taxes go towards supporting communities like this.
> While I do recognise their need for isolation and the opportunity to
> lead a way of life they feel they are entitled to, barring access to
> other travellers under the conditions decribed is just plain wrong. In
> fact being able to deny access to anyone to what should be at least a
> public thoroughfare is wrong.
> Incidentally what if you were 'lucky' enough to score the first type of
> permit - the drive-only-don't-stop permit - and you needed to go to the
> toilet? I'm not being funny, in reality its a stupid proposition - just
> think about it for a minute....
>
> By the way I had no plans to go, being unable to afford it because my
> taxes are so high.....
>
> Colin
> Brisbane
> --
> Colin Reid
>
> So many birds, so little time......
>
>
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