The traditional owners of the Kimberley’s spectacular Horizontal Falls have called for a total ban on tourists passing through them after a boat careered into rocks, badly injuring 18 visitors.
Dambeemangarddee Aboriginal Corporation has urged the Cook Government to fully close both gaps at Garaan-ngaddim to commercial and recreational vessels to minimise impacts on cultural heritage values.
The narrowest gap was closed to all boats this year as a temporary measure while a 12 month consultation was undertaken, sparked by the May 2022 accident.
DAC now wants a staged, full closure over several years that provides tour operators with clear timeframes so they can plan for change.
“Garaan-ngaddim is mamaa, a powerful, sacred place,” the corporation said in a statement.
“Our people lived there all year round, and we still feel their presence. It is a quiet, calm place.
“But it can be dangerous. You don’t rush through it.
“We’ve seen how Country responds when people don’t respect its power. We ask visitors to be quiet at Garaan-ngaddim, respect our cultural obligations to care for Country and culture, and keep you safe.”
But a WA Government spokesperson said the tourist hotspot had significant economic, cultural and social value, creating local jobs, attracting visitors from around the world and generating visitor spend in local communities.
“We want to see Horizontal Falls remain open to visitors, so those economic benefits can continue to flow – especially to the local community,” the spokesperson said.
“We will work with both the Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation and the tourism industry to resolve this issue.”
Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said the unique “bucket list experience” was used along with Ningaloo’s whale sharks to promote the State to the world and the industry body wanted it kept open.
“It is just absolutely crucial to our brand,” Mr Hall told The West Australian.
“Safety is paramount, but you can provide access to these places in a safe and manageable way.
“And to be frank, if we were to shut down any national park because there’s a risk to safety, there will be no more hiking in national parks, there will be no more camping in national parks, there will be no more six day four-wheel-drive touring in national parks.
“You don’t manage these things just by shutting them down.”
DAC, which jointly manages the falls with the State Government, said the closure of the narrow gap would remain in place next year.
“Traditional owners would like to stress that ‘closure’ only refers to vessels passing through the gaps,” they said.
“DAC still intends that tourists will be able to visit Talbot Bay, observe the powerful splendour of the falls and other attractions in the area.”
Edward James Whisson was allegedly in charge of The Falls Express when it crashed while passing through a 7.5-metre gap with 25 passengers and two crew on board.
Mr Whisson has been charged with failing to take reasonable care, and not implementing and complying with the safety management system for the vessel and its operations.
Journey Beyond Adventures has also been charged with failing to ensure the safety of the vessel, its equipment and the operation of the vessel, and failing to implement and maintain a safety management system that could ensure safety.
Mr Whisson and the company are listed for a trial allocation hearing on December 15.
At Horizontal Falls – which have been described by David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world” – huge volumes of water squeeze through narrow cliff passages, creating a sideways waterfall phenomenon.
Source: News