Snake may threaten Aust. Navy plans

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 32

Snake may threaten Aust. Navy plans

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney A snake from the Aborigine Dreamtime could put the bite on part of the $1.21 billion plans of the Australian Navy to shift its main bases from Sydney to Jervis Bay. According to local Aboriginals the snake, called Stundoola, lives at Hare Bay, a northern inlet of Jervis Bay, and has protected the local people from the Jerringa tribe for thousands of years. Now, because of the Navy’s plans to shift four big facilities to the area - and the munitions wharf targeted for Hare Bay - the Aboriginals fear that the sacred site where Stundoola lives could be disturbed, causing the destruction of the community. According to a report local Aboriginals are preparing to meet the Minister of Defence, Mr Kim Beasley, to get the Navy to put

its wharf somewhere else, although the Minister’s spokesman said no approach had been made and nothing was officially known of the Dreamtime snake.

The Aborigines are also said to be considering making a land rights claim which would protect the area from future development. They said no move had been made in the past to declare the bay a sacred site because, of fears it would be desecrated. The problem with Stundoola is similar to that in Perth, where the dwelling of Waughai, the Dreamtime snake that protects Perth’s water systems, is being threatened by the construction of a marina complex on the Swan River.

Ms Delia Rowe, secretary of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, said that the two snakes are the same with different names because of their locations.

She said that many fisher-, men had gone missing in the Hare Bay area for no apparent reason other than thy had disturbed Stundoola’s sanctuary. She predicted “grave things” could happen to the Navy if it moved into the bay, and said Jerringa could become a sickened people.

A Navy spokesman said that an environmental impact study would take into account all factors, including the beliefs of the Aborigines. The Navy facilities to be transferred to Jervis Bay from Sydney in a $1.21 billion operation include the fleet base wharves at Garden Island, the mine sweeping and patrol boat base, the submarine base, and the patrol boat base. The shift is due to be completed within 10 years, and will release large areas of prime waterfront land around Sydney harbour to civilian developmnt.