Light to Light Management Changes

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have opted to widen the rift as opposed to closing the gap between Aboriginal people and governments. Governments are quick to haggle over funds for the light-to-light project but are slow to acknowledge this project was highjacked from Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, by NPWS under their current management regime. This misappropriation allowed NPWS to capitalize through the receipt of $8 million by riding on the coat tails of long-term developments that include costly programme planning and promotions, and the restoration of the Green Cape Light station. Such long-term developments are products of the tripartite initiative involving Aus Wide Projects, Eden LALC and the prior NPWS management.

The Light-to-Light walking trail is a 38-kilometre path that connects the historic Eden south head light tower with the Green Cape Light station, which is situated in the now Beowa national park formally known as Ben Boyd national park.  Eden LALC, Aus Wide Projects and the former NPWS management worked together to initiate the proposal for the Light to Light walking trail revamp, which included cabin establishment, associated camping upgrade, and amenities infrastructure improvements.

Eden LALC were geared to manage and earn income from fees collected from the camp infrastructure relating to the Light to Light proposal. Contracts were predetermined for signing involving Eden LALC, Aus Wide and NPWS. Contracts were to make provision for Eden LALC to operate the Green Cape Light House accommodations facilities as an Eden LALC income generating industry. Contracts over the Green Cape Lighthouse were to be similar in nature to contracts already in place over other government owned Lighthouses. Private operators currently manage the accommodation services for NPWS lighthouse stations at Smoky Cape and Sugarloaf. Under the Eden LALC, Aus Wide and NPWS arrangement funds were already secured to the tune of $1 million. In addition to the $1 million State funding secured, Aus Wide further contributed substantial finance and together these funds enabled extensive refurbishment of the Green Cape Lighthouse station.

Before proposal negotiations were disrupted, Aus Wide Projects committed to provide training and supervision to Eden LALC in the overall construction of the Light to Light recreational and tourism infrastructure. Aus Wide had previously delivered tour guide training to provide Eden LALC members with skills required to operate Aboriginal cultural tours which incorporated overnight stays along the Light to Light walking trail.

The tripartite Light to Light submission was rejected by government funding authorities. Following rejection of the submission, the then Regional Manager for NPWS failed to gain back his position, this vacancy was filled by an alternate staff member. Upon taking up the reigns, the incoming NPWS manager put forward a carbon copy submission of the tripartite Light to Light proposal, which unsurprisingly governments eagerly funded. Eden LALC weren’t consulted when the NPWS put forward their recycled and readjusted Light to Light proposal. The nature of the current Light to Light proposal is such that prior agreed accommodation service industry opportunities have been stripped from the Eden LALC. Prearranged Aboriginal building construction training will also now be excluded.   

This repurposed NPWS Light to Light package now means that both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, who do not wish to undertake the 3-day trek or are unable, will be disallowed otherwise existing accommodation access rights in and around the Green Cape light station. The isolating of The Green Cape Light station accommodation to privileged Light to Light walkers is a denial of present camping rights, impacting the general public.                         

Sections of the existing Light to Light walking track is actually a traditional Aboriginal pathway. This pathway has allowed an unbroken traversing of areas in question, since time immemorial. The track is an Aboriginal archaeological site, which therefore needs to be registered for protection 

I strongly urge NPWS to enter into a just terms compensation arrangement with Aboriginal people to reassess the current Light to Light proposal. This reassessment could help to right the wrongs inflicted on the Aboriginal community and begin to close the gap between Aboriginal people and government. NPWS should reinstate Light to Light initiatives that were originally geared to realise aspects of the agreements reached under the 1999 Eden Regional Forest Agreement (RFA). Within the RFA, Governments committed to enter into joint management arrangements with Aboriginal people relating to environment management and environment care. Governments made further RFA commitments to establish infrastructure on public lands to support Aboriginal eco- tourism within the Eden LALC boundary. 

Lighthouse warning signals direct seafarers’ vessels away from treacherous waters. Friendly negotiations between Aboriginal people and government can help to shed light on channels having depth, to highlight potential hazards that can cause significant harm to people and places. The treacherous waters of government malfeasance threatens to turn back the tide of Aboriginal and government relations. To encourage calm, the existing NPWS Light to Light venture should be supported only with the understanding that Eden LALC be granted something of equal value to cover their economic and cultural losses.