Restricted areas on the CSR

Try this link, I have applied and gained access to the Calvert Ranges later this year

Site Link

Complex issues.
They are listed on the WA Indigenous Heritage Register.
They are on land within the Martu Native Title Grant.
As they have had public access for many years, one might argue that that public access is still allowed.
Then again, there are "Closed" sites amongst them, or near them, to which access is not allowed except by permission from the Registrar.
Yet, for all of that, DIA put up a sign (for Calvert Range anyways) that says that you need a permit from WDLAC - implying that you need it because it is Martu land.
Thankfully, WDLAC seem to be happy to hand out permits for people who say and do all the right things (respect TOs, tread lightly, camp in campsites, travel on tracks) so keep in with the locals - apply for their (free) permit, respect their wishes and the legal minefield should not be an issue.
Cheers,
Andrew who thinks camels are desecrating more sacred sites than humans at present rates.

G'day Mike

If you go to VKS 737 Radio network web site www.vks737.on.net you will possibly be able to down load the Autum 2008 edition of the Network News publication. There is a lengthy but very informative article on exactly what you are asking.

Regards Joe

www.pilbaraironcountrytours.com

Hi Mike,

First of all, who has told you these places are restricted and do you believe them?

If the restrictions are based on the “Native Title Act” and a certain determination by the Federal Court then the answer could lie in your definition of the “Canning Stock Route”. All that I say in this post is about the "Native Title Act" only.

I can only think of two definitions and here they are. The “Canning Stock Route” is a track that follows the wells surveyed by Alfred Canning or the “Canning Stock Route” is a temporary easement from 1906, five miles wide that passes by the wells surveyed by Alfred Canning.

An extract from FCA (Federal Court of Australia) ruling 1208 (James on behalf of the Martu People v Western Australia [2002] FCA 1208 (27 September 2002) states:

5. Other rights and interests
(e) Rights of any person to access and enjoy (subject to the laws of the State):
(ii) the Canning Stock route. <<--- This bit is important and is written in black and white too!!!

If you think the gorge and the springs are part of the “Canning Stock Route” then I wouldn’t worry about getting (Native Title) permission to visit. Remember, nobody really knows as no one has tested it in the Federal Court yet.

As far as the Calverts things are a bit different. The Calverts are not part of the “Canning Stock Route” and have been specifically named by Ngaanyatjarra Council on behalf of the Martu people as restricted…quote, “Calvert Ranges, and the track to Calvert Ranges and beyond”.

It would seem that you will have to get permission for the Calverts, though I’m not sure about the “beyond” part of the sentence as the Martu determination only goes as far as Lat. 24 degrees and the Calverts are almost on the border. “Beyond” is Unallocated Crown Land and is accessible to all.

Some people (bodies, clubs) will err on the side of the Ngaanyatjarra Council, to avoid conflict etc, but the Law is the Law, it doesn’t matter how many people say otherwise.

I am not intending to visit any of these places in the near future so have not fully researched it but that is my take on it at the moment.

Cheers and happy travels

Eq.

Re the Calvert ranges -as at 12th June 2008

Once you have received your CSR permit from ANFWDC contact :

Richard Taylor

richard.taylor@westnet.com.au
(08) 9755 2370
0417 891 011

Give him your:

CSR permit #
vehilce rego
your name
number of persons travelling
approx date you will be travelling

and he will issue a free permit on behalf of western Deserts Lands Aboriginal Coprporation.

It takes about 1 week and you get the permit as an e-mail attachment