 Like
other landowners in Australia, Aboriginal people have
the legal right to grant or refuse permission to people
wishing to enter or travel through their land... The permit
system is also designed to help protect the privacy of
Aboriginal communities, preserve Aboriginal culture, safeguard
the natural environment and promote visitor safety.
Moreover, Aboriginal people have a special connection
with their land, including responsibilities to safeguard
the physical health and the spiritual health of the
land which includes the protection of sacred sites...
So if you are planning to travel through Aboriginal
Land on roads that are not designated highways, you
MUST obtain a permit.
If traveling as part of
an organised tour, the tour operator will arrange
all permits on your behalf. It is the right of Traditional
Owners to refuse any entry permits. Applications and
inquiries must be directed in writing to the relevant
Land Council.
Every year, many thousands of people use the permit
system to visit or travel through Aboriginal land...
Aboriginal Land Councils, Tribal Council, and the WA
Aboriginal Lands Trust administer the permit system
on behalf of the traditional owners... Permits are issued
only if the traditional owners grant approval.
To obtain a permit for your planned trip, you will
need to contact the appropriate Aboriginal land council...
See Aboriginal
permits.
There are two special permits you may need...
Permits are issued free of charge; however, some Aboriginal
communities do levy an entry/camping/activity fee for
people wishing to remain for an extended period, e.g.
in the Kimberley Region where tourists often stay over
for fishing activities.
Transit permit: this
allows you to travel though Aboriginal land on designated
roads. Camping and off-road access are prohibited...
Applications for routine transit permits are usually
processed within one working day.
Entry permit: this
allows entry to a designated area of Aboriginal land
or an Aboriginal community for a specific purpose and
period of time... Applications for entry permits can
take longer to process because they may require consultations
with Aboriginal landowners. You should allow at least
three to four weeks for a reply to your request.
People travelling together
in the same vehicle are included on a single
permit. This is issued to the nominated driver of the
vehicle... The names of all passengers must be listed
on your permit application.
Where
to apply for a permit
Conditions
A permit is simply a written permission to
visit the private land of a family or group of Aboriginal
people.
Permits are subject to conditions. In particular,
visitor permits do not allow visitors to fish, hunt
or carry out commercial activities, including filming,
on Aboriginal land.
There are occasions when permits are not granted or
are cancelled... This could be because of a death or
a funeral, because a ceremony is being conducted in
the area, or it could be because of weather or road
conditions... Just accept these possible limitations
and respect the situation.
Permits are not needed if you are traveling on the
public highways. Travel on some private roads is not
permitted at all.
Police stations
Police stations are located at the following communities
in Central Australia: Alice Springs... Kalkaringi...
Papunya... Alekarenge... Kulgera... Tennant Creek...
Pputula (Finke)... Lajamanu... Ti Tree... Atitjere (Harts
Range)... Ntaria (Hermannsburg) Yuendumu... Yulara (Ayers
Rock Resort)
Some Simple rules
Please remember that you are entering or passing through
Aboriginal lands as a guest of the locals... The usual
rules of etiquette apply.
Do
- Introduce yourself on arrival if you are staying
- Respect any community decision to guide your movements
- Learn about the community from the local Land Council
- Enquire about the conditions for the consumption
of alcohol before your visit... Many communities do
not permit alcohol
- Be courteous in your dealings with Aboriginal community
members
- Carry adequate personal provisions including medication
for your journey.
Don't
- Arrive in a community and drive around within the
area/reserve without the communities' knowledge and
permission
- Take photographs without permission
- Visit without adequate personal provisions
- Assume that the community will agree to all your
requests
- Attend ceremonies or meetings without being invited
It should not be assumed that all Aboriginal communities
are the same. They vary in cultural practices, language
groups, population, facilities available, etc.
Larger communities are generally run by a locally
elected Community Council which is responsible for the
administration of the community, including essential
services, housing, medical services, roads, stores,
workshops, etc. |
