MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday, 14th March, 2006

State of Destruction — Not Enough Protection

Kokatha Mula — an Aboriginal group in the far West of our state — is calling on the South Australian Government to honour their 2002 election promise by returning the Yumbarra Conservation Park to its original conservation status, and ban any further mining activities within the park.

We are also calling on Mike Rann to recognise and respect the cultural links of the Yellabinna, Yumbarra and Pureba parks.

On the 5th of March, 15 women embarked on a 6-day journey into the heart of Yumbarra, Yellabinna and Pureba; unique arid lands located North of Ceduna.

Women have travelled from around Australia to join this journey, sit on the land and listen, learn from the Kokatha Mula women. Learn about their strong connection to land, their culture, and to give support in their plight. To fight for recognition of the cultural significance of the land and the need for stronger environmental protection.

These parks hold great cultural significance to the Kokatha Mula people, and the Kokatha Mula are united in calling for action, not just broken promises.

“We frequently walk this land, we know the land and the stories it holds,” said Aunty Sue Haseldine, Kokatha Mula.

“Our sacred sites are not to be trifled with,” Aunty Colleen, Kokatha Mula.

“We don’t want broken promises, we need action. A promise is a promise. Yumbarra should be declared a singularly proclaimed park and conservation status restored to ban mining,” said Aunty Bronwyn, Kokatha Mula.

Kokatha Mula people are concerned by the increasing threat and impact that mining companies will have on this fragile environment.

“This untouched country hold enormous cultural and environmental significance. It is the largest stretch of pristine mallee woodland left in the world. This diverse semi-arid eco-system provides a refuge for many endangered species reliant upon the area, such as the marsupial mole,” said independent environmental scientist Ms. Nowelna Blood. “The substantial research undertaken by myself prior to the trip did not prepare me for the incredible array of ever-changing eco-systems which I witnessed throughout the land. I found myself completely overwhelmed by the variety of flora and fauna within this semi-arid landscape, all of which depend upon the inter-connected underground water supply.”

“This was an invaluable opportunity for me to participate in indigenous land management. This experience clarified the need for such practices in order to maintain species survival.”

“It is clear to me that this country, home to the largest mallee scrub in the world, is extremely fragile and requires immediate protection from looming industry.”

The ancient country of Yellabinna has been recognised by the South Australian State Government by the proclamation of a small section as a Wilderness Protection Area. Around the same time, however, 14 exploration leases were granted around the rest of the parks over the top of many important rockholes. This is cause for concern, only 200 meter buffers around ‘special areas’ registered as sites of Aboriginal Cultural Significance — This is not good enough — The fragile ecosystem within these parks needs to be looked after — A stronger level of protection is needed.