IT is now seven years and three months since the ACT government released a request for tender, offering to return Boomanulla Oval in Narrabundah to indigenous management, says CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah, Julie Tongs.

The documentation released in mid-2016 says: “The territory has issued this RFT to assess the interest, capability and experience of the successful proponent to take over management of Boomanulla Oval.”

In response, Ms Tongs says Winnunga Nimmityjah engaged the highly regarded planning and design company Judd Studio to develop a strategic plan for the sustainable indigenous management of Boomanulla Oval.

“Judd Studio developed and submitted to Winnunga Nimmityjah an outstanding strategic plan which respected and would enhance the potential for the site, and the opportunities that its rejuvenation would offer to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Canberra,” she says.

“Despite Winnunga Nimmityjah having responded in good faith to the ACT

government’s request for tender, at significant cost and out of genuine interest and commitment to the ideal of returning Boomanulla to its rightful owners, the government aborted the process without explanation, cancelled the request for tender, and has, for the last seven long years, simply squatted on this outstandingly important piece of Aboriginal land.”

Julie says Boomanulla Oval has always been very important to the Aboriginal community in the ACT.

“It was pretty much the first facility that we had, and it brought people together, particularly through sports,” she says.

“It is just really heartbreaking to see what it has become, it is another failed attempt from the government to step up and do something.”

Without a place to come together, Julie says it’s hard for Aboriginal people to connect.

“A lot of people here in Canberra haven’t been born here, or moved here from other places, and it can be quite isolating, but having Boomanulla means people could get out and mix, meet new people and become a big part of the community,” she says.

“The Judd Studio plan included having an education, training and employment facility, a cultural education and keeping place, sports facilities, and the blocks behind could become low-cost housing, so it would have been a perfect place, with the oval used for walking, football and maybe even a coffee, so people can use Boomanulla Oval as a meeting place.

“But, we did all of this work for the ACT government, on their request, and then of course, once again, this community ends up with nothing, we are just ignored.”

Julie says it’s a shame, Boomanulla would have made a real difference.

“We’ve got all these kids running out of control because there’s nothing for them to do,” she says.

“If they had organised sport meet ups, and the education program, just a chance to be involved, you could make a real difference, but we’ve gone begging for the last seven years.

“We’ve got kids in Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, they are turning 18 and going straight into the Alexander Maconochie Centre. There are solutions to help break this cycle.

“So it’s sad when you drive past Boomanulla Oval and there’s no life around, it has become dilapidated.”

If Julie was given the opportunity for Boomanulla Oval now, she says she would require a lot of community help.

“For people to put their hands up to help bring it back to life, turn it into something amazing, just like it used to be,” she says.

“It would still get kids into organised activities, forming relationships and becoming a social hub, so absolutely, yes, I would still like it returned to indigenous management.

“Boomanulla still means everything, it was the place we used to all come together for better or for worse. We know things don’t move quickly in this government, but really, action should be taken quicker than this.”

A spokesperson says in light of its importance and complexities, the ACT government took time to assess Winnunga Nimmityjah’s response to the request for tender.

“The government acknowledges this was a lengthy process and unfortunately at the time, the request for tender did not enable a way forward to address the financial and legal risks that were identified through the process,” they say.

“As a result, the request for tender was cancelled and the government committed to undertake improvements to Boomanulla and work with the Elected Body on a way forward.

“Transport Canberra and City Services accepted the role of land custodian for the site as an interim measure in 2018. We have been working with the community through the Elected Body to bring Boomanulla Oval back to an operational, first-class sports facility.”