Communities at odds over Bungle Bungle hotel plan

Traditional owners of Purnululu National Park in Western Australia – home of the Bungle Bungle Ranges Kimberley have been left frustrated by a government decision to build a boutique hotel at the park.

The Bungle Bungles Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC), was set up to manage the interests of all the traditional owners last year, but chair Ben Cross said this week the organisation had not been consulted.

“I’m very disappointed in the West Australian government,” he told the ABC.

“Once again [it’s] incompetent in working appropriately with Aboriginal people on cultural matters … I found out the news through a media statement.

“All developments in the park need to come through the Bungle Bungle Aboriginal Corporation.”

Mr Cross said he only saw a letter from the smaller Billingjul Aboriginal Corporation (BAC), who have been granted a ‘special lease’ dated December 24, 2024, this week.

BAC was founded by Bonnie Edwards with just 15 members.

She told the ABC other native title holders would not benefit from the proposal, which still requires further assessment and approval from the State government.

“This venture is on our lease, not with the Gija people,” she said.

“I want to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren’s future, for them to say ‘That old lady, she did this for us’.”