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West Australian
30-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
State Govt to undertake review of native title, cultural heritage processes in mining, exploration sector
The organisation representing mining and exploration companies is hopeful a State Government review into native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes will allow for the smoother progress of projects going forward. The State Government on Friday announced a 'targeted' review into native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes in WA's mining and exploration sector. The Government said it wanted the review to improve outcomes for both traditional owners and industry. It said the review would be conducted in partnership with the National Native Title Tribunal and identify options to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of WA's native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage processes. Issues it will examine include the interaction of consultation processes under current legislation and the capacity of relevant stakeholders to participate in these processes, and how these processes deliver social, economic and community benefits and contribute to WA's commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Government said the review would not consider any legislative amendments. The four-month review would start next month and involve a series of on-country meetings, targeted roundtables, and workshops. A final report is expected to be provided to the State Government by the end of the year. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies on Friday welcomed the review. It said it had been strongly advocating for a review of the processes involved in protecting cultural heritage and sought assurances from Premier Roger Cook in the lead-up to the recent State election. 'We're pleased that this review process will take place, and the association and our members will work constructively with the review to try and achieve change that can benefit all parties,' chief executive Warren Pearce said. 'Our members value the protection of cultural heritage, and the rights of traditional owners. 'However, there has got to be a better way to protect cultural heritage that doesn't stall exploration and deter investment. 'The process has become extremely costly and lengthy, for the undertaking of heritage surveys and for agreement making processes.' Mr Pearce said the issue was already stopping many projects from moving forward. 'Make no mistake, this is the biggest issue facing the mineral exploration and mining sector, and unless change is made, investment in exploration and mining projects in Western Australia will stall,' he said. 'That will have real economic consequences for the State and nation, but as importantly it will deny traditional owners the opportunity to benefit from these projects, and realise a lasting legacy from the developments that take place on country. 'We need to find a better way forward, and are committed to working towards that outcome.'
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
National Native Title Tribunal ruling on Narrabri Gas Project devastates elder
A decision by the National Native Title Tribunal to allow the New South Wales government to lease land to Santos for gas extraction has left a traditional landowner "devastated". The tribunal was asked to decide whether the leases, which mostly overlap with a significant Gomeroi cultural area, the Pilliga, should be allowed. The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved the $3.6 billion Narrabri Gas Project for up to 850 gas wells in 2020. In its decision handed down on Monday, the tribunal said, weighing the public interest evidence and concerns of the Gomeroi people, they believed the Narrabri Gas Project offered a "net public benefit". Gomeroi woman and native title applicant Polly Cutmore said the decision was upsetting. "I am very upset, but it doesn't surprise me," she said. The tribunal decision was not the only remaining hurdle for the Narrabri Gas Project, but it has been a protracted issue. In December 2022, the tribunal decided the leases could be allowed, subject to conditions. In March 2024, the Federal Court unanimously rejected the Gomeroi people's five grounds of appeal relating to good faith. But the appeal was allowed on one ground; two of the three Federal Court Justices found the tribunal erred in its limited consideration of environmental concerns. Chief Justice Debra Mortimer said in the 2024 ruling the Gomeroi people "were deprived of the possibility of a successful outcome by reason of the tribunal's errors". Traditional owners called the decision groundbreaking for their people and the fight against climate change. Meanwhile, Santos indicated they would continue mediation to reach a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties. Ms Cutmore said her people would continue to fight to protect their country. Ms Cutmore said when she was first made aware of the project almost a decade ago, she was concerned about Santos's plan to extract gas from the Great Artesian Basin. "The people from the Namoi, who rely on the water system, all the way through to the Murray Darling Basin, it's going to be devastating for the country, the land," she said. "It's going to be devastating for our people. "We took everything into consideration what Santos offered us at the (National) Native Title Tribunal table, we said no. "We are here because of our ancestors, they fought and we will continue to fight. "We are still here and we will continue to fight, we love our country." Santos's proposal for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline, a 30-kilometre pipeline to connect the Narrabri Gas Project to the Hunter Gas Pipeline, is still being assessed by the federal government. Before the IPC's approval of the Narrabri Gas Project, the state government received almost 23,000 public objections and the Mullalley Gas and Pipeline Accord later unsuccessfully challenged the approval in court. Santos will need to comply with strict conditions to proceed with the project. Santos has been approached for comment.
