Following the successful commencement of construction of the Bundian Way Story Walking Trail at Twofold Bay by the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council (Eden LALC) just four weeks ago, this project and the development of Bundian Way itself are now under threat due to the refusal of an application lodged by the Eden LALC under the Commonwealth Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The application requested necessary funds to extend the existing positions of the Bundian Way Manager and the Land and Sea Country Coordinator at the Eden LALC with existing funding for these positions due to expire in September and June of this year respectively.
According to Penny Stewart, CEO of the Eden LALC, ”both positions are essential for the continuation of the Bundian Way Program and the Land and Sea Country Program, both of which operate on public lands for the public good”.
The application also requested funds required to establish various positions for the development of an Indigenous Cultural Tourism Enterprise associated with the Bundian Way and the development of the Keeping Place at Jigamy Farm as a Cultural Centre and the Gateway to the Bundian Way.
“It is extremely disappointing and perplexing that this quality application has been refused after so much money and effort has already been invested in the development of the Bundian Way, the Land and Sea Ranger Program, and natural resource management businesses established under the Land and Sea Country Program”, said Les Kosez, Land and Sea Country Coordinator.
“This is an opportunity too good to miss and it’s frustrating that after all the years of talking about the Bundian Way we are finally starting to make some solid progress with the ClubGRANTS funding, only now to receive this news. We were just starting to embark on a pathway toward a position of self-determination for the Eden Aboriginal Community with the development of the Bundian Way and the Cultural Tourism Enterprise” Mr Kosez said.
“It doesn’t make sense, when all of the economic indicators associated with the redevelopment of the Eden Wharf at Snug Cove as a cruise ship port combined with the ever increasing demand for Indigenous cultural tourism pursuits in this part of the world, including the Bundian Way, that the Commonwealth Government now appears to be disinterested in further investing in the local Aboriginal community’s increasing capacity to meet this demand ” said Noel Whittem, Manager of the Bundian Way.
“We have several young local Aboriginal guides trained up in readiness for the cruise ships and now we have to tell them that this might not be happening due to government cuts” Mr Whittem said.
“These programs are not only beneficial to the local Aboriginal community with regard to job creation, social stability, and celebration of Aboriginal culture, they are also beneficial to the wider community in terms of their significant social and economic spin-offs” he said.
The Eden LALC will now take the opportunity to resubmit a revised application to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; however there are no guarantees that the revised application will be successful.
The Eden LALC will shortly approach the various local candidates for the upcoming State Election to request assistance in funding these essential positions.