AN image depicting a group of four-wheel drive vehicles on top of an unique geological rock formation has sparked outrage and prompted a larger conversation about the importance of protecting Aboriginal sacred sites.
A picture uploaded to social media shows at least five vehicles on top of one of The Granites, near Kingston, has raised the ire of the region’s civic and senior Aboriginal leaders.
The Granites are a group of large rocks located along 90 Mile Beach, about 20km north of Kingston and is a significant cultural site to the Meintangk and Tanganekeld First Nations people.
Kingston-based Indigenous elder Aunty Penny Bonney said driving and clamouring on the rocks was disrespectful to the Indigenous communities who held a special reverence for the area.
She likened the actions similar to climbing Uluru, which had long been decried by Aboriginal groups as desecration of a sacred site.
“The Granites is a very important place of cultural significance because it is a site of a dreaming and ancestral creation story,” she said.
“We have climbed the rock to feel the spirit and have our photograph taken, but we do it with respect for the land and respect for the culture.
“If people are going to climb up onto the granite, just show respect.
“What is not okay is jumping, dancing and defacing the rock.
“If you go to the cemetery, you do not jump on someone’s grave and The Granites are the same thing – the rocks are very spiritual and have a lot of meaning to us.”
The Granites are a a group of mammoth rocks and are protected under state legislation as an Aboriginal cultural site.
It is illegal to damage, disturb or interfere with the site without the authority of the Minister responsible – a portfolio currently held by Premier Steven Marshall.
Aunty Penny said the rock formation had been defaced with crude graffiti in the past, but the culprit had not been caught despite significant fines for unauthorised damage.
The penalties range from $10,000 or six months jail for individuals and $50,000 for organisations.
In a statement, a State Government spokesperson said there had not been any successful prosecutions for breaches of the Act.
The spokesperson said the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Department had undertaken several investigations of breaches, which had resulted in “greater awareness within the wider community about the importance of Aboriginal heritage”.
“Since 2014, the department has facilitated the appointment of over 40 heritage inspectors across the state,” the statement said.
“Heritage inspectors are empowered to, among other things, seize and retain evidence of possible breaches of the act and to issue directions and instructions to potential offenders.
“In December 2018, the Premier appointed 10 new heritage inspectors, including two new inspectors for the nearby Coorong National Park.”
However, South East Aboriginal Focus Group co-chair Robyn Campbell said it was challenging for heritage and compliance officers to investigate breaches along the 190km stretch of coast.
She said the lack of knowledge about The Granites as an important cultural site was a contributing factor to its
desecration.
“I have had verbal discussions with the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Department and Kingston District Council and will be seeking future support to manage and protect the site,” Ms Campbell said.
“Treating the site with disrespect and driving on the rocks is considered as damaging, disturbing and interfering the site as it disturbs the spiritual ancestors.
“It has got to stop and people need to remember they can be fined as the site is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
“We need to increase awareness of the Act because we do have cultural sites and The Granites relates to a very special and significant story of the coastline.”
Kingston mayor Kay Rasheed slammed the “hooliganism” of motorists who drive onto the rocks and said council would collaborate with the South East Aboriginal Focus Group to prevent future disrespect.
“As a council, we have a really good relationship with the South East Aboriginal Focus Group and we are very disappointed with the disrespectful and irresponsible actions,” she said.
“Most people realise you should not drive out there, there is clearly an element of hooliganism involved in it.
“We will be working with the focus group to get some interpretive signage installed about the significance of the area.”
A social media search shows a number of images featuring four-wheel drive vehicles partially or fully mounting the rock formation, as well as other pictures.
One post uploaded in 2016 by the South Australian Tourism Commission – an organisation established by the State Government – encouraged visitors to “jump on top of one of the giant boulders” and “dance in excitement”.
It was also liked by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, who at the time of the post had previously served as shadow Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister.
Mr Marshall’s office was contacted for comment.
