A community hunted onto the streets in the name of Redevelopment

We ask you to stand and witness with us and support us any way you can, and to ask Mr Barnett why is his government inflicting this damage and desecration on us and on our traditional homegrounds where our people have lived and died since time began.

Housing before demolition

Demolition of houses

On 19 March 2014 the WAPC (and the Minister?) ordered in contractors for the destruction and desecration of our Sacred Land of Lockridge Camps, and bulldozed our Sacred Community and Dome and Homes we had designed and built ourselves, and caused immense suffering. This was done with absolutely no consultation and no notice, in breach of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, 1972.

On Tuesday eveninng the Government moved in and tore down the fences around the Lockridge Camp Site. 'They desecrated the vegetation that was hand planted by community members when they knocked down the fences. There is no protection. There are Ancestral Burials in this Sacred Area. Our Ancestors' Graves are now open to desecration,' stated Bella Bropho, Spokesperson for the Swan Valley Nyungah Community.

Once again, the Community was not notified or consulted.

'Barnett Government – why are you doing this to us?' asked a distressed Bella Bropho 'It's another cowardly act. They took the fence down at approximately 5:00 pm without notifying or consulting with us, the recognised Custodians of this Site.'

'SWALSC (South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council) and the Native Title Act has recognised us as the Traditional Owners of this Land. Glen Kelly recognised us as the Traditional Owners of this Land and he agreed to us moving back on this Land as the Traditional Custodians', stated Ms Bropho.

'Is our Community now public open space and why?'

Ms Bropho contends that 'The Barnett Government is ignoring the Aboriginal Heritage Act, 1972'.

'The Barnett Government is ignoring their own laws in order to persecute us, the members of the Swan Valley Nyungah Community'

'This government seems intent on damaging our Spirit and Souls through lack of any consultation on this our Sacred Site. This is further theft, marginalisation and attempts to assimilate us, the First People.

'This is our Sacred Land and Waterways and we will never give up our right to our Sacredness' promised the Spokesperson.

For further info contact:
The Swan Valley Nyungar Community
BELLA BROPHO 0467 329 047

^[1] 'State may sell Swan land: Housing proposal shows camp closure was a land grab, says Bropho', The West Australian, 16 May 2003.
^[2]'Gallop acts to break black leader’s power', Australian , 16 May 2003.

Petition: Reopen Swan Valley Nyungah Community

Petitioning the Leader of the Opposition in WA. Reopen Swan Valley Nyungah Community - 'Bring home the homeless'.

 Article

Rally plan to protest site demolition

Swan Valley community was closed down amid allegations of abuse, but many residents want to return because they don't feel safe in government housing.

 Article

Government racism razes Swan Valley Nyungah Community

The Western Australian State Government sent in demolition contractors to raze the vacant residences of the Swan Valley Nyungah Community.

"let us go home" - Rally in Perth

Many of our People are now sleeping under trees, in vacant blocks, in parks, in car parks, in alleyways. Young people are growing up in the homeless lifestyle.