The Wangan and Jagalingou people are fighting Adani Mining over the proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, which would see 45,000 hectares in the area used in open-cut and underground coal mining, becoming one of the largest in the world.
Environmentalists are also against the proposal saying it is an environmentally destructive project, the issue is currently being heard in the Land Court in Brisbane.
The Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council have rejected the Land Use Agreement and do not agree to the Carmichael Mine on their ancestral lands.
An online petition has been launched calling for those against the proposal to sign and show their support for the Indigenous people of the area.
In a statement on the Wangan and Jagalingou Family Council website the potentially detrimental impact on the people of the area is outlined.
“Our traditional lands are an interconnected and living whole; a vital cultural landscape. It is central to us as a People, and to the maintenance of our identity, laws and consequent rights. If the Carmichael mine were to proceed it would tear the heart out of the land. The scale of this mine means it would have devastating impacts on our native title, ancestral lands and waters, our totemic plants and animals, and our environmental and cultural heritage. It would pollute and drain billions of litres of groundwater, and obliterate important springs systems. It would potentially wipe out threatened and endangered species. It would literally leave a huge black hole, monumental in proportions, where there were once our homelands. These effects are irreversible. Our land will be “disappeared.”
According to the Adani website it has stringent processes in place for environmental protection on this project; “The Carmichael coal project is committed to delivering strong environmental protections founded on evidence based science in the development and operation of this project. In addition, 190 stringent conditions have been placed on the construction and operational phases of the mine and rail project by the environment departments. Many of these conditions require world’s best practice to be implemented and achieved to protect environmental values such as groundwater and biodiversity.”
However the Aboriginal community of the area has found no solace in the statement or discussion with the company and have made this clear on the call to sign the petition stating.
- We do hereby firmly REJECT a Land Use Agreement with Adani for the Carmichael mine on our traditional lands.
- We DO NOT consent to the Carmichael mine on our ancestral lands.
- We DO NOT accept Adani's "offers" to sign away our land and our rights and interests in it. We will not take their "shut up" money.
- We will PROTECT and DEFEND our Country and our connection to it.
According to Adani the company has always positively engaged with traditional owners and has come to agreements with all relevant groups regarding Cultural Heritage and has signed Cultural Heritage Management Plans with all relevant groups. It has always been Adani’s policy to reach mutual agreement with all groups and sign Indigenous land Use Agreements (ILUA) that cover the Adani Mine, Rail and Port projects.
The Wangan and Jagalingou people have vowed to continue their fight against the plan. More details on events as they unfold and the petition can be located by following the link. http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/our-fight/
IMAGE: The image attached to this article is sourced from the Wangan Jagalingou website.