❓ A parliamentary question regarding the planned demolition of buildings and infrastructure at the Oombulgurri Aboriginal Community, focusing on consultation, cultural heritage, and justification for the approach. The Minister defends the decision citing safety and financial reasons.
AnsweredQoN 1119Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
OOMBULGURRI
— DEMOLITION
1119. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
threatened demolition of buildings and infrastructure at the Oombulgurri
Aboriginal Community.
(1) Which buildings and infrastructure are
scheduled for demolition, who will foot the bill and when will this occur?
(2) Given the strong links the community has
to the area, and the many people who maintain they have not been consulted
about the demolition, has the minister considered alternatives to bulldozing
the buildings and infrastructure, such as assistance with resettlement?
(3) Given the area is understood to contain
many culturally significant and sacred sites, has a heritage survey been
carried out to ensure that documentation and collection of artefacts occurs
prior to the bulldozing; and, if not, why not?
(4) Would the minister recommend a similar
approach to the one being taken in Oombulgurri in a township or community that
is not primarily Aboriginal, where similar events of child sexual abuse and
family violence have occurred; and, if not, why not?
— DEMOLITION
1119. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the
threatened demolition of buildings and infrastructure at the Oombulgurri
Aboriginal Community.
(1) Which buildings and infrastructure are
scheduled for demolition, who will foot the bill and when will this occur?
(2) Given the strong links the community has
to the area, and the many people who maintain they have not been consulted
about the demolition, has the minister considered alternatives to bulldozing
the buildings and infrastructure, such as assistance with resettlement?
(3) Given the area is understood to contain
many culturally significant and sacred sites, has a heritage survey been
carried out to ensure that documentation and collection of artefacts occurs
prior to the bulldozing; and, if not, why not?
(4) Would the minister recommend a similar
approach to the one being taken in Oombulgurri in a township or community that
is not primarily Aboriginal, where similar events of child sexual abuse and
family violence have occurred; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) On 24 June
2013, the Aboriginal Lands Trust, as landholder and owner of the buildings at
Oombulgurri, approved the demolition of 49 buildings, including houses, power
and water infrastructure, sheds and school demountables. The Department of
Housing has confirmed that demolition work commenced on the week beginning 29
September 2014. Demolition work is expected to be completed by 31 December
2014. The Department of Housing was authorised to procure demolition work
services and will be paying for the work.
(2) No.
Cabinet endorsed the withdrawal of government services from Oombulgurri and the
formal closure of the community as a place of residence. This decision followed
a process that started with a report released by the State Coroner, Alastair
Hope, in 2008. The coroner investigated five deaths in the community, four of
which were suicides, and found the community to be in a ''state of
crisis''. This included high rates of domestic violence, child neglect,
sexual abuse, and excessive alcohol consumption. Despite extensive efforts to
address the issues that have plagued Oombulgurri, including extensive work by
the Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee, there remained considerable risk
of further decline in community dysfunction without government action. The closure
was necessary to ensure community safety. In addition to the issues of
community dysfunction and safety, financial propriety also meant that the
community should be closed. At the time of closure, the majority of residents
had already left the community voluntarily, and there was an estimated average
population of fewer than 30 people.
(3) According
to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs records, there are no registered
Aboriginal sites or other heritage places located over the Oombulgurri town
site. The area has been the subject of heritage surveys previously, and during
surveys by the Kimberley Land Council and the traditional owners, as part of
the East Kimberley development package in 2010, the area was cleared of any
heritage issues. As such, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs can confirm that
the planned demolition complies with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, which
governs the protection of important sites, such as sacred burial and other
Aboriginal heritage locations.
(4) Yes. The
state government remains convinced that the decision to close a community in a ''state
of crisis'' was necessary and in the best interests of residents and the
wider community.
question.
(1) On 24 June
2013, the Aboriginal Lands Trust, as landholder and owner of the buildings at
Oombulgurri, approved the demolition of 49 buildings, including houses, power
and water infrastructure, sheds and school demountables. The Department of
Housing has confirmed that demolition work commenced on the week beginning 29
September 2014. Demolition work is expected to be completed by 31 December
2014. The Department of Housing was authorised to procure demolition work
services and will be paying for the work.
(2) No.
Cabinet endorsed the withdrawal of government services from Oombulgurri and the
formal closure of the community as a place of residence. This decision followed
a process that started with a report released by the State Coroner, Alastair
Hope, in 2008. The coroner investigated five deaths in the community, four of
which were suicides, and found the community to be in a ''state of
crisis''. This included high rates of domestic violence, child neglect,
sexual abuse, and excessive alcohol consumption. Despite extensive efforts to
address the issues that have plagued Oombulgurri, including extensive work by
the Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee, there remained considerable risk
of further decline in community dysfunction without government action. The closure
was necessary to ensure community safety. In addition to the issues of
community dysfunction and safety, financial propriety also meant that the
community should be closed. At the time of closure, the majority of residents
had already left the community voluntarily, and there was an estimated average
population of fewer than 30 people.
(3) According
to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs records, there are no registered
Aboriginal sites or other heritage places located over the Oombulgurri town
site. The area has been the subject of heritage surveys previously, and during
surveys by the Kimberley Land Council and the traditional owners, as part of
the East Kimberley development package in 2010, the area was cleared of any
heritage issues. As such, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs can confirm that
the planned demolition complies with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, which
governs the protection of important sites, such as sacred burial and other
Aboriginal heritage locations.
(4) Yes. The
state government remains convinced that the decision to close a community in a ''state
of crisis'' was necessary and in the best interests of residents and the
wider community.
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