Minister gives reasons for halting NSW gold mine

By PETER ROWE

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has given a statement of reasons to her decision halt a $1 billion gold mine development in the New South Wales Central West, saying it would cause ‘irreversible’ and ‘permanent’ loss to Aboriginal heritage.

In August, the Minister accepted an application by a coalition of Wiradyuri elders to protect the area from ‘injury’ or ‘desecration’ due to its cultural significance.

The statement outlined both Regis Resources and the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council’s position that the Bee Dreaming did not exist, and challenged why the tradition was not raised in the initial protection application.

The Minister found the Belubula headwaters were “sacred” to the Wiradjuri people and their Blue Banded Bee Dreaming tradition, which narrates how the springs were formed.

Previously the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council had opposed the mine, before changing its position to neutral following consultation with Regis.