Djukun Nation Stands Firm Against $200 Million Floating Jetty Development

On November 8, 2024, Djukun Traditional Owners and Broome community members gathered once again at Yinarra (Entrance Point) to protest against the construction of a $200 million floating jetty on Djukun Country. Despite being recognised as Native Title Holders of the Country on which the jetty is to be constructed, the Djukun were not consulted about the project, and it was approved by the Yawuru Native Title Holders Aboriginal Corporation Prescribed Body Corporate (Yawuru PBC). The exclusion of the Djukun Traditional Owners from the entire approval process raises critical concerns about transparency, fairness, and respect for Djukun rights.

Exclusion of Djukun Traditional Owners

The Yawuru PBC’s decision to approve the jetty disregards the voices of all Traditional Owners under the Rubibi Native Title determination. The Djukun have been sidelined in key decisions about their ancestral land, leaving them deeply disappointed and angered.

Image credit: Eugenie Dumont, Yinarra, 2024, Jaala Ozies, Frans Hoogland and Yisah Bin Omar.

Erasure of Djukun Identity

The Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage (DPLH) has added to these grievances by removing the name "Yinarra" from online maps and eliminating the buffer zone around the Port of Broome. Furthermore, the Yawuru PBC has renamed Yinarra to "Bidalgabu," a name that lacks historical or cultural recognition in any Yawuru publications. Within the Djukun community this renaming raises serious concerns about authenticity and the intent of Yawuru PBC in making that change.

Credit supplied: Entrance Point, 2024, Broome.

This creeping erasure of Djukun identity is consistent with broader actions of the Yawuru PBC and government bodies that have been renaming Djukun places since 2020. These names were vital to securing Native Title recognition and hold deep cultural and historical significance for the Djukun people.

Dual Naming Controversy

In 2020, the Shire of Broome, Nyamba Buru Yawuru, and the WA Landgate Geographic Names Committee introduced dual naming for locations in Broome. In an interview with the Broome Advertiser in June 2020, former Nyamba Buru Yawuru CEO Peter Yu claimed this initiative honoured the relationship between people, Country, and language, saying:

“Yawuru names for these places have never changed, so for these names to become available to the wider community is a gift, and acknowledges that we have a shared history.”

That interview and article in the Broome Advertiser failed to acknowledge the Djukun who strongly refute Peter Yu’s claim and say again that they were excluded from the decision-making process. The Djukun assert then and they continue to say that longstanding Djukun place names, which were instrumental in securing Native Title, have been systematically replaced which further alienates the Djukun from their heritage and generational connection to Country.

Environmental and Cultural Concerns

The jetty development poses a grave threat to the fragile Yinarra Reef ecosystem. The area is home to 15,000-year-old shell middens and 130-million-year-old dinosaur heritage. The Djukun question the absence of publicly available environmental assessments and the failure to consult with Traditional Owners, calling for accountability from the Yawuru PBC and government authorities.

A Call to Action

The Djukun Nation remains steadfast in opposing the industrialization of their sacred lands. They call on allies, environmental organisations, and concerned citizens to stand in solidarity against this development; they demand transparency, accountability, and genuine respect for Djukun Country and its traditional and rightful custodians.

This protest is not just a stand against one project; it is a fight to preserve Djukun heritage, culture, and identity for generations to come.

Together, we can protect Djukun Country. Stand with the Djukun Nation.

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Protest of Djukun Traditional Owners Against Development on Sacred Yinarra Reef