Ban Ban Springs is located at the junction of the Burnett and Isis highways. The locality is surrounded by the larger locality of Ban Ban. On the southern side of the road junction are the springs from which the community gets its name, being rare springs from which waters flow into the nearby Barambah Creek.
History
The name Ban Ban Springs finds its source in the name originally used by H. Herbert when, in 1846, he first leased the pastoral run encompassing the springs. It is reported Herbert borrowed the words "Ban Ban" from the local Wakka Wakka and/or Kabi Kabi languages. Ban Ban State School opened in August 1916. It closed on 24 January 1965.
"Ban Ban is a sacred site and has a Dreamtime association with the Rainbow Serpent which is believed to have surfaced there. It spoke to the elders of the tribe telling them the secrets of the sacred waters and how to use it. The Rainbow Serpent also told of talks he had had with the seven sisters and of the wonders he had seen while making the pathways for the sacred water to flow in this area. "
"It is the birth place of many elders of the Wakka Wakka people with elders of this group living in the town of Gayndah."
"Ban Ban Springs is unique in Indigenous Heritage. It is sacred in men's Business and women's Business for separate and combined reasons."
"Throughout time this area has been guarded by the Rainbow Serpent."
Unfortunately, in September 2006 the Shire of Gayndah, concerned about noxious weeds and improving visitors' experience of the area, sought to re-vegetate and beautify the place by engaging contractors to promptly clear the existing vegetation from in and around the springs, with the following effect:
"Cultural Heritage Destroyed: They've exposed the plant life to the summer heat, moved the rocks around, driven through the springs's pond... They've bulldozed what Gayndah's Wakka Wakka know as their cultural heritage..."
By 8 May 2007 the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water had issued summons under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 , threatening prosecution and effectively initiating discussions between the local council and the Wakka Wakka people to somehow rehabilitate the springs, better manage the Aboriginal cultural heritage area, and settle the whole matter by agreement. One year later, the council for the new North Burnett Region expressed formal regret for the harm done and agreed to discuss with the Wakka Wakka. The springs are usually dry, but local bore irrigation has also reduced the available water.
