‘Eviction’ action against Adani coal project

A traditional owners' group is staging an 'eviction' action against Adani, vowing to restrict access to the Carmichael coal mine site. The action is being undertaken in the name of the Wangan and Jagalingou People, although Adani argues the activists are not representative of the native title claimants - who reached an agreement with the coal company over the land's use. Works have continued onsite today (Monday, Aug 24) despite the protest. It follows an eviction notice issued at Adani's company offices in Brisbane, Townsville and at the Carmichael mine site last Thursday. “Today we are re-establishing tribal control of our home lands," group spokesman Adrian Burragubba said. “We will restrict Adani Australia and contractors' free movement within Wangan and Jagalingou lands. These restrictions will not apply to the general public or local farming families. Adrian Burragubba. “Adani are operating without authorisation within our boundaries. “Adani have cleared land which is home to many sacred totemic animals. “It is our duty as Wangan and Jagalingou people to act against Adani’s Carmichael project that interferes with our ancient law and custom." An Adani spokeswoman this afternoon said that Queensland Police were on site and project works were continuing despite the attempted interruption. "Police officers have had to drive for an hour to reach the activists’ camp, at a time when community resources are already stretched managing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic," she said. “People at the camp site do not represent the W&J native title claimants. “In 2016 the W&J People voted 294 to 1 in favour of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement which endorsed the Carmichael project. “We are dedicated to working in partnership with all our traditional owners, including the Wangan and Jagalingou People, guided by the Indigenous Land Use Agreements.” A spokesman for the protest group said late today the activists were still in the Carmichael access area and planned to remain there overnight. Adani says it has Indigenous Land Use Agreements and Cultural Heritage Management Plans in place with all four traditional owner groups in the area to ensure they benefit from the delivery of the project. This includes the following commitments:• A minimum $7.5 million spend on Indigenous education bursaries and pre-employment programs• A minimum 10 per cent Indigenous traineeships• A minimum 7.5 per cent Indigenous employment target• A minimum spend of $250 million in Indigenous contracting and business development. Earlier this month traditional owners from the Jangga people welcomed workers to the Carmichael Rail Network project with traditional dance and smoking ceremonies at several cultural sites along the rail corridor. In a press release at the time, Adani Mining chief executive officer David Boshoff said the company had been working closely with all of the traditional owner groups in the area for many years and was thrilled that Jangga invited Adani staff and contractors to be part of these ceremonies. Jangga elder Colin McLennan said the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies were held for everyone who worked on the site but were particularly significant for indigenous workers from other partsof the country who were working on their land. “They want to know they are working on this country with the blessing of the Jangga people and these ceremonies were performed to protect the site and everyone working on it,” Mr McLennan said. https://www.facebook.com/adaniaustralia/videos/337437860628328/

‘Eviction’ action against Adani coal project

Industry Queensland

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