2022-10-28
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today knocked back the proposed expansion of the Glendell Mine in the Hunter Valley following a long campaign in defence of their country by Wonnarua Traditional Owners.
The mine expansion was set to destroy both the historic Ravensworth homestead and the Frontier Wars and massacre site around it as well as generate significant additional emissions.
Lines attributable to Greens NSW MP and Justice Spokesperson Sue Higginson:
“This is a welcome decision from the IPC, but it’s still astounding that this expansion was even being considered, given the overwhelming evidence of Cultural Heritage and irreversible cost to the climate.
“In light of the UN’s announcement yesterday that there is no pathway for us to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and while communities across NSW continue to suffer under climate disasters, it’s shocking that any new coal or gas mines are even under consideration.
“This refusal is thanks to the work of Scott Franks and all of the Elders who have fought for decades to stop this and never given up.
“Scott Franks has worked tirelessly for his people, for all of the First Nations people in NSW to protect Culture and Country and he’s always worked for better outcomes for the environment for all of NSW.
“This outcome was informed by Cultural Heritage evidence that was outside of NSW development assessment cultural heritage process. It highlights how inadequate the NSW cultural heritage laws alone are and how desperately we need better robust, stand alone Cultural Heritage protection laws.
“Glencore has played serious hardball and now they need to accept the IPCs decision.”
Lines attributable to Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge:
“This is an incredible win for the Wonnarua Traditional Owners and everyone who has stood beside them to protect their land and culture.
“I am glad to have played my part as a State MP and now federal Senator helping to make the first application to protect the land under federal Aboriginal heritage laws, and continuing to advocate for culture before coal.
“At times this felt like an impossible challenge where all the power lay with a multi-billion dollar multinational resources company that had the ear of the state and federal governments.
“In the end the most powerful weapon was truth, the truth about Frontier violence and massacres and the truth about culture and history that came from the Wonnarua people.”