Djiringanj elders from Bega have welcomed the decision to create an alcohol-free zone (AFZ) on Biamanga and reiterated the need to protect sacred sites such as the mountain's waterhole.
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At Bega Valley Shire Council's meeting on December 11, councillors unanimously voted to see the establishment of the zone in Biamanga's cultural area around Mumbulla Falls and the road leading to the picnic area.
The request for the zone was brought to council in September by the Biamanga National Park Board of Management in an effort to address anti-social activity associated with alcohol consumption within the cultural area.
Djiringanj and Ngarigo elders Aunty Colleen Dixon and Aunty Ellen Mundy were pleased to hear of the decision, but said they wished they had been consulted over the matter.
"Even though I'm agreeing with what the board of Biamanga has come up with they did not consult with traditional owners," Ms Dixon said.
"We should be having a say in that as well because it's within our jurisdiction."
She was aware of people going to the mountain and "throwing bottles and cans around", which was not appropriate.
"It's there for everyone to share and see, but everyone needs to show respect and not leave any rubbish - cans or bottles, whatever that may be."
Ms Mundy said she would not want anyone going to the mountain to have a party as they would be disrespecting the sacred place.
"I don't think anyone would go and have a party in a church," she said.
She said Biamanga had female and male sacred sites and was a place where a headman would perform initiations.
For instance, Ms Dixon said the top of the waterhole was sacred for men and the bottom sacred for women.
Ms Mundy said when logging began on the mountain elders such as Guboo Ted Thomas and others attempted to stop the operations due to the presence of the sacred sites, but in the 1970s many of them were destroyed.
"We've got to protect as many sacred sites as we can so they are there in the future to educate about our history," she said.
The AFZ will last for four years and will provide police with additional powers to assist in the reduction of anti-social behaviour.
At council's meeting, Cr Jo Dodds said traditional owners had reported they would like the area treated with a more respect and that over the years they had seen people over-indulging in alcohol and leaving rubbish behind.
Cr Robyn Bain said that the Biamanga board visited the area and saw inebriated people swimming in the waterhole at the time which offended the board members.
"It's culturally sensitive; they don't mind people swimming although they probably would prefer they didn't," Cr Bain said.
