The Djab Wurrung voice remains strong in the fight to protect this ancient landscape
In Western Victoria, many culturally significant trees are set to be destroyed for the state government’s planned highway upgrades.
The traditional owners of this land, the Djab Wurrung people, are fighting to protect this sacred site, with some of the trees dating back over 800 years.
“Firstly we’re not protestors, because these are our homelands,” said Zellanach Djab Mara, a representative of the Djab Wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy, who has been based on site for months.
“These homelands have been connected to us for thousands and thousands of years.”
As a traditional custodian, Mr. Djab Mara said he’s there to defend his culture.
“For me personally, I’ve come to make a stance to say that we are going to stand here and protect our cultural heritage.”
However, the Western Highway is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road and the government believe upgrades need to be made to improve commuter safety.
Greg Caine from the Victorian Transport Association said “by the duplication we make it safer, we make it more accessible, and there’s more efficiencies into the system – not only for those people going to Adelaide, not just those people in heavy vehicles going into Western Victoria, but for the actual local communities.”
Discussions continue as to whether an alternate route can be found to both protect the trees and improve the highway.
