Antinuclear

Arnhem Land traditional owner opposes fracking on his land

“In many ways, it’s an uncontrolled experiment on the Australian environment”

The meeting was told that about 80 per cent of Territory land and 90 per cent of its coastline are subject to mining exploration applications of some kind.

Shale gas ‘fracking’ fractures views in Top END By Andrew Thompson | ABC , 22 Feb 13, The head of an anti-fracking community group based in the eastern states has warned against the development of the shale gas industry in the Northern Territory.Farming, fishing, pastoral and environmental groups were among those represented at a Darwin meeting to discuss the controversial underground mining technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Lock the Gate Alliance president urged Territorians to carefully consider the environmental impact.

“In many ways, it’s an uncontrolled experiment on the Australian environment,” he said.

“They simply don’t know what the impacts are likely to be …

especially on underground water and people’s health.

“It is such an aggressive, powerful industry that governments simply let them have their way.

“It has only been a mobilised and organised community that has in anyway kept them under control.”…..

Aboriginal land owners have the power to veto mining, while owners of land such as cattle stations do not.

Arnhem Land traditional owner Eddie (Blahchini) Mason is opposed to fracking on his lands.

“If you are going to come over there and try to do this, you are trespassing on my land,” he told the meeting.

“So stay away and leave us in peace.

“(Fracking) might pollute my waters, my sacred site area.

“Fracturing they call it; that’s where you blow the thing down there and the gas comes up.

“It will destroy everything.” The meeting was told that about 80 per cent of Territory land and 90 per cent of its coastline are subject to mining exploration applications of some kind.

Meanwhile, the Territory Government has made 26 recommendations to a Productivity Commission inquiry into mineral resource exploration.

The recommendations all relate to the mining provisions of the Territory Aboriginal Land Rights Act.

The Government says they are all aimed at streamlining the negotiation and consent process for exploration and mining on Aboriginal land.

They cover definitions, processes and consultation.

None of the recommendations relate to the Aboriginal right to veto mining.

February 22, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, Northern Territory