The Native Title Tribunal has handed down a decision that extinguishes the land rights of the Gomeroi People in order to allow multinational gas giant Santos to proceed with its coal seam gas project in the Pilliga Forest.
The NSW Labor government’s support for the project, despite strong and sustained opposition from Traditional Owners and the community, has been labelled a profound betrayal of cultural heritage, environmental integrity and climate justice.
Greens MP and spokesperson for the environment and First Nations justice, Sue Higginson, said the decision prioritised fossil fuel profits over the rights of First Nations people, the protection of sacred Country, and the future of the environment and climate.
‘This result has completely failed the Gomeroi, demonstrating the severely broken system for land rights, and it’s a victory for corporate fossil fuel interests. The Gomeroi People have consistently and clearly opposed this project for over a decade. More than 23,000 public submissions were made against the Narrabri Gas Project, compared to only 300 in support.
‘A wide coalition of unions, scientists, farmers and community members have stood with Gomeroi Traditional Owners to stop Santos. This outcome shows how little the rights of First Nations communities matter when profit is on the table.’
Immense significance
MLC Sue Higginson said, ‘The Pilliga Forest is a place of immense cultural, spiritual and environmental significance. It is the largest inland native forest in eastern Australia, a critical recharge zone for the Great Artesian Basin, and home to threatened species.
‘Santos plans to drill up to 850 coal seam gas wells across this landscape. The environmental risks are well-documented and irreversible. Once the Pilliga is fractured by this project, it cannot be undone.
‘The conditions that have been imposed are wholly insufficient to prevent damage and are insulting in the context of what is being lost, again highlighting how broken and limited the system is.
‘Requiring that the gas be used for domestic supply does not stop the destruction of Country. Enhanced cultural heritage protections do not reverse the fact that sacred sites will be placed under industrial pressure.
‘A ranger program cannot substitute for land rights and self-determination. These conditions do not meaningfully address the Gomeroi People’s deep and consistent objections. They greenwash the result and give political cover to a dangerous fossil fuel project.’
NSW Labor Backs Santos Over Gomeroi
‘The NSW Labor government has actively supported this project and must be held accountable,’ said Ms Higginson.
‘They had the power to stop this and chose not to. By siding with Santos, they have chosen fossil fuel profits over First Nations justice. They have ignored cultural significance, community opposition and climate science. This is not the public interest. It is a political failure and a moral failure.
‘This project should never have been approved and it is not too late to stop it. The federal government has the power to revoke environmental approvals. The NSW government can withdraw its support. Communities will not stand by while Country is destroyed.
‘I stand with the Gomeroi People. The community stands with the Gomeroi People. The fight to protect the Pilliga is far from over.’
Check out this short video from Cloudcatcher Media to better understand the long battle of the Gomeroi to save the Pilliga Forest from Santos:
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