The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs wants to hear from South Australians about an application concerning sand mining operations at an existing quarry, some 20km southwest of Kingscote on Kangaroo Island.
The Minister, Kyam Maher said people’s views would help decide whether to authorise damage, disturbance or interference with Aboriginal heritage that may occur as a result of quarry activities within the application area for the Kangaroo Island MacGillivray Sand Mine.
Mr Maher said the quarry was located on Crown land east of South Coast Road and north of Veitchs Road in the suburb of MacGillivray.
He said section 21 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 made it an offence to excavate land to uncover Aboriginal sites, objects and/or remains and section 23 of the Act made it an offence to damage, disturb or interfere with any heritage without the Minister’s authorisation.
Mr Maher said that although there was no native title determination or claim over any part of Kangaroo Island, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri, Kaurna and Narungga peoples all asserted traditional interests over the island.
“Prior to considering whether to grant the authorisations, section 13 of the Act requires the Minister to consult with Traditional Owners, the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee and other Aboriginal parties that he thinks may have an interest in the matter,” Mr Maher said.
He said Traditional Owners or Aboriginal parties with an interest in the application area were urged to consider the following questions: Should the authorisations sought by the Applicant be granted? Why or why not?; If granted, what conditions, if any, should be put on them?; and Are there any other matters the Minister should consider in this application?
A Public Consultation meeting is to be held at 10am on Saturday 13 August at the Encounter Centre, 42 Armstrong Road, Victor Harbor.
The consultation process is open until Thursday, 1 September, and information on how to have a say can be accessed on the YourSAy website at this PS News link.
The Department’s 12-page Consultation Information Pack can be accessed at this PS News link.
