2023-02-08
Wednesday 8 February 2023
After months of uncertainty the final deadline for Glencore to appeal the decision of the Independent Planning Commission refusing the expansion of its coal mine has expired. Given the heavy-handed use of legal tactics by Glencore to try force this expansion through against the wishes of the local community and First Nations voices, the risk of an appeal was real.
The expiry of the appeal deadline is a key line in the sand for the fight for cultural and environmental protections in the Hunter.
Lines attributable to Greens Senator for NSW David Shoebridge:
"This is a win for the Plain Clans of the Wonnarua People, it’s a win for the Hunter and it’s a win for the climate.
"Finally, after years of truth telling about the cultural and environmental devastation this proposed open cut mine would create, we have an end to this disastrous project.
"Glencore proved themselves to be a discreditable opponent in this fight. willing to use public bullying, back-channel arm-twisting and endless corporate resources to force an approval of this mine and we can finally see these tactics backfired.
"I want to acknowledge the hard work of First Nations activists, environmental defenders and those committed locals who stood with them to fight for this beautiful part of the Hunter.
"It shouldn't be this hard to protect nature and shouldn't be this hard for First Nations cultural authority to be heard and respected by governments.
"We have a job to do at all levels of government to address the systemic biases in favour of fossil fuel giants and that job starts again today," Senator Shoebridge said.