govt restricting access Lake Eyre

[schuy1]

Quite interesting and a bit of a worry. Our Right To Boat (http://www.lakeeyreyc.com/OurRightToBoat/index.html)

It seems power plays and money( mining ) are at play again.

[KarlB]

When I have visited Lake Eyre, the last thing I want to see on the lake is a bloody sailing boat! The issue has been going on for years.

But then again, maybe you agree with Lake Eyre Yacht Club commodore Bob Backway who, in 2011, accused the local Arabana people of running a "greedy mafia-like organisation"!

I am proudly on the side of the Arabana. Lake Eyre is a place of great significance to them. In 2012, after a 14 year battle, the Federal Court granted the Arabana native title to more than 68,000 square kilometres in South Australia’s north, including Lake Eyre. The SA Attorney-General at the time, John Rau, said the court ruling officially recognised that the Arabana people had lived on the land for a very long time and held important rights based on knowledge and customs handed down through generations.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[ramblingboy42]

I'm with you Karl.

I go there twice a year....if weather lets me.

The last thing I want to see is boats on the lake.

I also don't want to see any more wheel tracks up and over the sand mesas in the area.

What's wrong with people?

Why do you have to drive over and spoil anything untouched and virgin including claypans and saltlakes?

I always carry my camera and I'm going to photograph anyone seen doing this and will then publish the photos after giving authorities a copy.

Fortunately I have not caught anyone yet but august will my 16th trip there....I'm bound to catch someone soon.

[AndyG]

I hope to be there in Sept, will you be gone by then:p

Seriously, do guidelines come with the various passes, or is a modicum of common sense required?

I ask, since you say refer to authorities, there must be rules in place?

[101RRS]

It is not the Govt that is stopping sailing on the Lake but its owners.

The sailing club was pretty unique and I suspect that if the Commodore was a bit more diplomatic in dealing with the Indigenous Owners then maybe some sailing on special occasions might have been allowed but as it is now - highly unlikely.

I am personally ambivolent about sailing on the lake - I agree if I went there I am sure I would not want to see yachts all over the lake but by the same token if it was some sort of event say in support of the indigenous owners then that would be OK too.

Garry

Garry

[ramblingboy42]

they have a clubhouse in Marree.

I think the sailing club still exists.

In reality , the opportunity to sail on the lake(s) does not come very often.

I wonder where the club members live.

There are other lakes that could be sailed on and Pt Augusta has plenty of sailing space.

[digger]

I think part of the arguement is that maybe they think they should have access to the lake to use also...

The LEYC has been around for a very long time and was regenerated relatively recently with more rains.. Their members come from accross Australia and the worls.

You wont see any "whopping great" boats... they use small trailer sailers

I respect the fact it is important to the Arabunna people but I also believe to ever achieve complete intergration and equality then everyone should have access.

I have seen the lake being used by LEYC, no damage was being done in any way whatsoever so I feel it is a real shame that it is prevented.

My 2c, possibly worth less after tax.

[ramblingboy42]

Digger, I haven't seen them sailing.

Do you know where they access and launch their boats?

I personally wouldn't want to try it.

I have seen where some idiots have tried to drive on the lake.

Just disturbs me that nobody can leave a pristine environment alone.

on an aside....idiots are seriously disturbing the lake beds in the Simpson desert.

the lakes cannot sustain 4-6" deep wheel ruts when that's possibly as deep as the water may get for years and years.

windrows quickly establish and the moving sands change the face of the land.

thats a good thing naturally....but not man made.

the oil/gas/mining companies actually have policy and driving training and practises to avoid this.

[AndyG]

Maybe those more experienced can post some guidelines for us Newbies, or is it as simple as:

Stay on existing trails
Leave nothing behind

[ramblingboy42]

Andy, that is spot on.

There are guidelines published....there are signs telling drivers not to drive in certain areas.....there are large information signs at various points such as lookouts which request drivers to only use designated tracks.

The Simpson desert national park permit and guide is very comprehensive and would take a couple of hours to read properly.....but who does?

[KarlB]

I think part of the arguement is that maybe they think they should h ...

I have seen the lake being used by LEYC, no damage was being done in any way whatsoever so I feel it is a real shame that it is prevented.

My 2c, possibly worth less after tax.

In your eyes they may not be doing any damage but that may not be the view of the Arabana people. They are certainly damaging the aesthetic as I perceive it.

I guess your argument could equally be applied to someone performing a Satanic ritual in a Christian cathedral, or even urinating on a war memorial.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Pateyw]

How about we ban the sailing boats and at the same time lockout all the 4WDs as well
And for that matter lockout everyone and let nature take care of its self
Then they win again . :mad:

[schuy1]

In your eyes they may not be doing any damage but that may not be the view of the Arabana people. They are certainly damaging the aesthetic as I perceive it.

I guess your argument could equally be applied to someone performing a Satanic ritual in a Christian cathedral, or even urinating on a war memorial.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

Yep, As I thought when I proposed the thread. The people that have little useful input to the subject resort to belittlement and sarcasm of those that percieve a different viewpoint;)
IMHO sailing does no more damage than any other activity, including those that may have been performed by any of the "owners" that may have existed down the ages. On that basis any and all can be and more than likley will be excluded in the future. To think other wise is narrow and selfish. I reiterate this is IMHO.
Cheers Scott

[101RRS]

When the white man owns property most reasonable people respect that ownership and wouldn't think about sailing on a lake on private property without approval.

However people seem to think there are different rules when land and lakes are owned by indigenous peoples - people seem to think they have every right to go onto this private property.

Like it or not it is now private property and we have to respect the rights and wishes of the owners.

But as I indicated above given the few times you can sail on the lake I am sure the "club" could have arranged something with the owners if they really tried.

Garry

[KarlB]

Yep, As I thought when I proposed the thread. The people that have little useful input to the subject resort to belittlement and sarcasm of those that percieve a different viewpoint;)
IMHO sailing does no more damage than any other activity, including those that may have been performed by any of the "owners" that may have existed down the ages. On that basis any and all can be and more than likley will be excluded in the future. To think other wise is narrow and selfish. I reiterate this is IMHO.
Cheers Scott

I agree that the sailing may do no more damage than many other activies but that is clearly not the view of the traditional owners. And like the South Australian Government, I am prepared to respect the Arabana point of view.

As for belittlement and sarcasm: your are probably better at that than I am. I am simply presenting my views and pointing out the folly in what I believe are weak arguments.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[KarlB]

How about we ban the sailing boats and at the same time lockout all the 4WDs as well
And for that matter lockout everyone and let nature take care of its self
Then they win again . :mad:

The only person to suggest that 4WDs be locked out of Lake Eyre is you. Not the Arabana people, as far as I am aware, nor the SA Government. However, as we have seen elsewhere, where people have an attiitude of doing what ever they want, regardless of the law, regardless of the rights of others, and without respect for the property we all own, then places can be locked up. It is the classic situation of the minority spoiling it for the majority.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Pateyw]

You are 100% correct I stated that 4WDs should be locked out not the Arabana people .
The area is there for all to use and respect not just the priverlaged few .
I am an indigenous AUSTRALIAN and weather you are white AUSTRALIAN or any other it's there for all .
Walking ,hiking ,sailing , canoeing ,4WD ,camping what ever your interests .
JUST RESPECT THE AREA AND OTHERS .;)

[101RRS]

The area is there for all to use and respect not just the priverlaged few .


Well no -not any more - it is now private - whatever goes on there 4wding, walking etc is being done with the consent of the owners it is just that they have drawn the line with the sailing.

[KarlB]

Well no -not any more - it is now private - whatever goes on there 4wding, walking etc is being done with the consent of the owners it is just that they have drawn the line with the sailing.
The Arabana people are the native title holders of an area that encompasses a large portion of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, as well as nearby Elliot Price Conservation Park and Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park. The National Park is also part of the traditional lands of the Dieri people. However, the parks are still crown land. They are not owned (as we normally understand the meaning of the word) by Aboriginal people. In 2012, the SA Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation and the Arabana people signed a co-management agreement which committed the Arabana people and the Department to the co-operative management of Elliot Price and Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs CPs, and a portion of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park.

That said, you are correct to the extent that "whatever goes on there 4wding, walking etc is being done with the consent of the owners it is just that they have drawn the line with the sailing". It is just that the area is 'owned' by all South Australians; and the decisions re what ever goes on there, is made my the owner's elected representatives (ie the SA voters). That the SA Government seeks to consult with traditional owners, and cooperatively manage the area, is, I believe, a good thing.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

Cheers
KarlB

[bob10]

I found the Yacht clubs take on it. I'm not sure who is opposed to sailing, the club suggests it is political, but could it be the indigenous occupiers of the land [ indigenous belief, I believe, is humans don't "own " the land. They are custodians. ] are of the belief a Yacht club offers up some kind of permanency, and therefore " ownership", as opposed to tourists passing thru. Bob


http://www.lakeeyreyc.com/OurRightToBoat/LEYCSubmission.pdf

[digger]

In your eyes they may not be doing any damage but that may not be the view of the Arabana people. They are certainly damaging the aesthetic as I perceive it.

I guess your argument could equally be applied to someone performing a Satanic ritual in a Christian cathedral, or even urinating on a war memorial.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

I think now you are fishing for a reaction..

sailing on water is not damaging it... you may not agree but there is no residual damage

and doesnt compare with your examples.

I feel I should also point out that I know a lot of the Arabunna people involved and living in this area. I have spoken with them (as mates do) and put views as I have already expressed and they have expressed their views also. The sailing club is not being objected to 'violently' by anyone in the area but mainly from those outside...