Indigenous senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has slammed a controversial proposal to ban visitors at ‘s biggest lake to protect its cultural significance.
Thousands of tourists flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South ‘s far north every few years when the outback destination transforms into a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours after flooding rains from Queensland.
It’s also a sacred site for the Arabana people, who have lived in the region for millennia and are the lake’s native title holders.
Under a proposed management plan, all recreational access to the lake bed will be banned out of respect for Arabana culture.
Swimming, driving, boating and landing aircraft on the lake are already banned, but the new plan would prevent visitors setting foot on its bed without permission.
Senator Nampijinpa Price joined the growing groups of critics slamming the move claiming that Indigenous culture had become the ‘new religion’ and that was quickly ‘locking up’ tourist hotspots around the country.
Tourists could soon be banned from setting foot on Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South ‘s far north
The shadow minister for Indigenous Affairs is concerned that another of ‘s natural wonders may soon be off limits.
She believes is shooting itself in the foot by barring visitors from scenic attractions.
‘It is concerning and from my understanding it was originally raised as a safety concern because during the dry times, the salt is quite sharp,’ Senator Nampijinpa Price told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Wednesday.
‘I would have thought that you’d be able to provide warnings to those visiting.
‘There’s this trend going on around our country, where we’re locking the place up from visitors being able to see our own backyard.
‘I think we need to get to the point to understand that well we all belong here as ns, we all belong to this country, we all have a significant connection to this country, especially if we’re born here, regardless of racial heritage.
‘We’re shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue down this path where we’re going to limit access for the potential for tourism, growth and all other things.
‘I think ns should be able to appreciate our own country without this continuing trend taking place.’
The lake proposal has sparked a divided reaction among Indigenous Aussies, including Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
The senator also slammed the tourist ban at Mount Warning (known as Wollumbin by Indigenous people) near Murwillumbah in northern NSW.
The iconic tourist spot once welcomed more than 120,000 visitors every year, but it has been off limits since 2020 despite an argument between Indigenous elders about its cultural significance.
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is one of a number of culturally significant sites in SA to enforce strict rules around entry to visitors, including Koonalda Caves in the Nullarbor, Sacred Canyon in Ikara-Flinders Ranges, and Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park.
The public can have their say on the proposed management plan until July 19 on the SA Department for Environment and Water website.
