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The Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay, Western Australia, are a unique natural attraction created by powerful tidal forces. Boat tours have long been a popular way for visitors to witness this phenomenon up close, despite objections from the area’s Indigenous Traditional Owners who consider the site to be sacred. In May 2022, a boat accident led to calls for the tours to be halted for safety reasons. The Western Australian government has now announced that boat tours will be banned in 2028 out of respect for the Traditional Owners.

The ban has been met with mixed reactions, with the WA Tourism Council expressing concerns that it will deter visitors and lead to job losses. However, the Dambeemangaddee people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years, believe that the boats desecrate the falls and welcome the ban. The falls are located within Maiyalam, one of three protected marine parks co-designed and co-managed by Traditional Owners and the WA Government. This move reflects a shift towards greater respect for Indigenous cultural heritage in a state that is heavily reliant on mining.

The ban on boat tours aims to restore the sanctity of the Horizontal Falls, which hold significance in local Indigenous beliefs. According to tradition, the rushing tide at the falls is caused by a mystical serpent named Woongudd gliding between the cliffs. The Dambeemangaddee hope that tourists will still visit the falls while respecting their cultural obligations to care for the land and keeping a safe distance. They are working on creating new educational materials and visitor management plans to ensure a respectful visitor experience.

Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, the main boat tour operator in Talbot Bay, has announced that it will transition to a culturally appropriate program that allows visitors to experience the falls in a respectful context. The ban has been criticized by some in the tourism industry, who argue that restricting visitor access to the falls will have negative economic implications. However, others, like Kimberley Day Cruise CEO Sally Shaw, support the ban as a measure to protect both the safety of visitors and the cultural significance of the site.

In response to the ban, the Dambeemangaddee are working to create new tourism experiences that respect their cultural heritage and spiritual connection to Talbot Bay. They hope that tourists will continue to visit the Horizontal Falls and appreciate its natural beauty while respecting the traditions of the Traditional Owners. The ban on boat tours is a step towards greater recognition of Indigenous rights and values in Western Australia, and reflects a growing understanding of the importance of protecting sacred sites and cultural heritage.

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