Calls to de-rail Seaford rail extension
The Kaurna community is calling on the Federal Government to stop the Seaford rail extension, after approval was given at the state level for the $291 million project to proceed.
Elders from the Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association want Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett to intervene to protect ancient Aboriginal sites along the rail corridor.
“Having to prove once again our heritage, our existence and who we are is the lowest of lows,” association chairwoman Lynette Crocker said. “We are really devastated – it seems there is no respect for Aboriginal culture.”
The Southern Times Messenger first reported in March calls by the Kaurna people for an alternative route for the rail extension because of sacred Aboriginal sites along the Onkaparinga River.
State Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi last week authorised the Transport Department to go ahead with the project, which includes a 1.2km rail bridge over the river.
Ms Crocker said the association would try to evoke the Federal Aboriginal Heritage Protection Act as well as dispute the State Government’s decision in court.
“There is a very ancient women’s site in that area and I thought in the spirit of reconciliation there might be a window of opportunity to protect it. But we were never even given the opportunity to negotiate any other options.”
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Transport Minister Patrick Conlon last year applied to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, under Section 23 of the State Aboriginal Heritage Act, to disturb Aboriginal sites, objects or remains along the 5.5km rail corridor.
Ms Portolesi, who recently took over the portfolio from Jay Weatherill, said she made her decision based on consultation with the Kaurna community and advice from the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee.
She said she expected some “disagreement” but every effort would be made to respect Aboriginal culture throughout the works.
Transport Department spokeswoman Bobbie-Jean Stevens said an Aboriginal Heritage Plan was being developed for the project, which would include using Kaurna monitors, stop-work procedures for the discovery of significant items and Kaurna place names, artwork and cultural mapping for the Onkaparinga Estuary.
Mr Garrett’s office could not be contacted before the Southern Times Messenger’s deadline.
Major design and construction works, including the rail bridge, are expected to start in September and train services to Seaford will be operating by 2013.
