Massacre site concerns halt plans for regional Victorian dog park

Planned works on a proposed dog park in Robinvale, Victoria, have been halted due to concerns raised by the Tati Tati traditional owners. The area, known as Bumbang, is believed to be a ceremonial, massacre, and repatriation site for the Tati Tati people. The state cultural body, First Peoples — State Relations, is currently investigating the matter.

The Kennedy brothers, Uncle Brendan and Uncle John Kennedy, stated that the site holds significant cultural importance for their people and has been used for Tati Tati ceremonies dating back to 1892, as remembered by Annie Carrington, a former resident of the estate. The Kennedy brothers' concerns came to light when they provided a letter from the 1960s to Swan Hill Rural City Council as part of a submission opposing a rezoning of Centenary Park.

However, the letter has since disappeared, leaving the council unaware of its existence. As a result, Swan Hill Rural City Council has paused the dog park construction while investigations into the site's cultural significance are carried out. Mayor Stuart King expressed surprise at the halt in proceedings, stating that the council had followed the proper processes and had an approved cultural heritage management plan for the proposed dog park.

The Kennedy brothers have requested a cultural heritage audit of the area and do not want any further construction to occur on the site, instead advocating for its preservation and replanting with native food and medicine plants, along with sharing Tati Tati history with future generations.