The Margaret River Pro is one of the biggest surfing competitions in the world, taking place in wavy Margaret River, 275 kilometers south of Perth. Today it’s mired in controversy. As part of the event planning, the Western Australian government has authorized using a nationally significant cultural heritage site as overflow parking for the event. Local Aboriginal organisations are absolutely condemning this move. The Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, which represents over 600 Wardandi, Piblemen and Kaneang people, are at the forefront of this struggle.
3000 Chontarle Bontelli, director of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, said she was disturbed by the approval. She said residents are being forced to use a burial site as a car park to honour their loved ones. It’s a clear indication of the cultural importance of the region. Today, the site is a critical component of an extensive dreaming narrative associated with the Margaret River. Its desecration would be devastating to local Indigenous communities.
Local Aboriginal Groups Voice Concerns
Members of the Undalup Association welcomed the conference to Country with a traditional smoking ceremony that opened the event. They elaborated on the cultural importance of the land. The Undalup Association hosts events such as the Bunuru Festival, which celebrates the changing seasons and strengthens community ties. Despite these efforts to honor and respect local heritage, the government’s decision regarding the parking site has left many feeling ignored.
Stephen Van Leeuwin, chair of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, criticized the approval process for lacking adequate consultation with traditional owners. He pointed out that the World Surf League has doubled down on these mistakes. This time, they did so with explicit governmental endorsement, trampling upon the significant cultural heritage values at stake.
“We feel like we’ve been ignored and not consulted regarding approvals to impact on a heritage site or a number of heritage sites in the Margaret River area.” – Stephen Van Leeuwin
Van Leeuwin additionally cautioned that the location could be severely damaged by parking activities.
“[The reports say] any sort of continued use of that can cause further damage and erosion to the site.” – Chontarle Bontelli
Government and Organizational Responses
WA’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch defended the decision by stating that local traditional owners were consulted by the World Surf League prior to granting approval for the land’s use. He showcased the hard support from the Undalup Association. This support is a natural compliment to their support, year after year, for our similar events in previous years.
“I’m also advised that traditional owners from the local area were consulted by World Surfing League and full support was provided by the Undalup Association for the proposed use, in line with their support for the event in previous years,” – Don Punch
Despite his defense, concerns remain among Aboriginal groups that their cultural heritage is being overlooked in favor of commercial interests.
Last year, Surfing Western Australia issued a public apology to the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation. They were responsible for the unlawful destruction of an Aboriginal cultural site. This follow-up apology comes as tensions have recently escalated between local communities and music festival organizers.
“We extend our deepest apologies to the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation and its members for any distress or inconvenience caused by our actions,” – Surfing Western Australia
Cultural Significance of the Margaret River
The Margaret River has great spiritual importance to the Wardandi, a clan of Noongar people, who are keen to highlight the river’s importance to their cultural heritage. Bontelli urged that we recognize this heritage when we have conversations about how we use our land. This is particularly important at times such as during the Margaret River Pro.
“The Margaret River and its significance is really important to the Wardandi people of the region.” – Chontarle Bontelli
Yet conversations around this fraught topic continue. It’s very important that all parties—governmental, festival organizers, and the community at large—participate in good faith conversation that upholds place-based cultural heritage while accommodating the needs of the event.
