Anti-coal traditional landowners are trying to force out an entire $21 billion mining development from Central Queensland’s Galilee Basin.
A representative from the Wangan and Jagalingou people has issued a formal eviction notice for Adani Australia’s Carmichael Coal Project, about 160km northwest of Clermont.
‘Squatting’ alleged
The Indigenous Australians accused the India-headquartered proponent of committing “serious breaches” in the way it managed land, life and community health in the affected area.
They also claimed Adani was ‘squatting’ on their land, even though the company has already obtained all the necessary regulatory approvals.
“They are squatters on our land so they have got to go and we will stand up to them until they have,” Wangan and Jagalingou cultural leader Adrian Burragubba said in a public statement.
“Adani has ignored our concerns, they created sham agreements; they used their power with the government to try and criminalised our actions and bankrupted us; they have attacked us in public.”
Lawsuit to follow
The group revealed it would keep serving eviction notices to Adani’s Brisbane office, Townsville office and the mine site until the company packs up and leaves.
If the proponent does not vacate the site, legal action will follow. They will contest the legality of the indigenous land use agreement, alleged barring of traditional owners from entering the work site and destruction of land, water and cultural sites.
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The eviction notice came just days after the nearby Jangga people welcomed Adani workers to the Carmichael Rail Network with traditional dance and smoking ceremonies along the rail corridor.
Adani described the event as an important step in protecting cultural sites and further strengthening Adani’s and its contractors’ relationships with Indigenous Australians.
“We have been working closely with all of the traditional owner groups on our project for many years, and are thrilled that Jangga invited our people and contractors to be part of these ceremonies,” Adani Mining CEO David Boshoff said in a public statement.
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