Maralinga: Traditional Owners get their Land Back

Maralinga was the site in 1956 of British nuclear tests. Ever since then

the Maralinga Tjarutja people have fought to get their land back.

 

Most of the land had previously been returned to the Maralinga people, but

3,000 square kilometres, known as Section 400 had been cordoned off

as it was considered dangerous due to heavy contamination.

 

On December 18, South Australian Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce

handed over the deed to the land, saying the day closed a sorry chapterin

Australia’s history.

 

Hundreds of people witnessed the ceremony in Maralinga Village.

“In Britain’s race to develop a nuclear weapon capability this area was

declared off limits to the traditional owners and they were forced to leave,”

said Governor Scarce.

“Most were moved to coastal grey-sand country at Yalata, a place with which they had no connection.

Maralinga Tjarutja chairman, Mr Keith Peters said having the land returned will help the community heal.

“Our people fought…so bad to get the land back….they’ve finally made it,

to get the land back,” said Mr Peters.

 

South Australia’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Jay Weatherill said he hoped

the remaining buildings and land at Maralinga can be used by the Aboriginal

people for community and tourism facilities.

 

“I’d like to acknowledge the patience and co-operation of the Maralinga

Tjarutja people in working through this process,” Mr Weatherill said.

 

He also acknowledged the contribution that many traditional owners made

in finalising the handback, including the late Kunmanara Queama,

Pitjtantjatjara elder, Chair of Maralinga Tjarutja Council, and trustee of the

Pilings Trust who passed away recently and the late Dr Archie Barton.