Add Category
A Gomeroi traditional owner has told a rally in Newcastle she expects a "David and Goliath" battle to stop Santos' multi-billion-dollar gas project.
This weekend a convoy travelled from Narrabri, via the Upper Hunter to a rally in Newcastle on Sunday, opposing Santos' $3.6 billion gas developments in the Pilliga in northern New South Wales.
Suellyn Tighe has noticed the Pilliga forest changing in recent years. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Gomeroi woman Suellyn Tighe travelled from Coonabarabran to address about 100 people who attended the rally.
"This fight is a David and Goliath fight and we, the Gomeroi nation, we are fighting against deep pockets, fossil fuel companies whose only drive is the bottom line," she said.
In March, the Federal Court found the Native Title Tribunal should have allowed evidence on climate change when considering Santos' gas project near Narrabri.
The company told the court there would be further consultation.
"Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development," it said.
The court has since sent the case back to the tribunal after finding that the obligation to consider the public interest must include the consequences of climate change.
The rally and convey were concerned about Santos' gas facilities in Pilliga forest. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
The weekend's convoy and Sunday's rally in Newcastle saw farmers, environmentalists, Gomeroi traditional owners, and unionists standing shoulder to shoulder.
Lock the Gate New South Wales co-ordinator Nic Clyde said he stood beside the traditional owners.
"The Gomeroi people have said no to that project … and the union movement is standing strong, so we are working with them and also the Gomeroi mob," he said.
Michael Waites from the Nurses and Midwives Association said the gas project must be stopped.
Nanna Carol, who did not disclose her last name, from the Knitting Nannas in the Hunter Valley, where an approved gas pipeline from Santos' Narrabri project will travel through said she supported the traditional owners in their fight against the gas development.
Nanna Carol from the Knitting Nannas has said no to gas. (ABC News: Giselle Wakatama)
"We, nannas, hope to make sure that we can keep the land, the air, the water for future generations and we're not going to do it by using gas," she said.
Kylie Martinez, a teacher on Gomeroi lands, travelled from Bathurst to lend her support.
Teacher Kylie Martinez and Independent Education Union official David Towson attended the rally. (ABC News: Giselle Wakatama)
"I'm Aboriginal education officer. So my job is to promote, help, encourage community and my students about Aboriginal communities," she said.
"My goal is to teach them about what is on country, not what was once on country.
"Whether you're Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, we're all Australians and our country is our country. And when it's gone, it's gone."
David Towson, from the Independent Education Union, said he was hopeful Santos could be stopped.
"Santos is a major multinational, and they see profit in the land, and we hope to stop their efforts there," he said.
Santos has previously said "the Federal Court did not make any findings in relation to its conduct".
It said it had negotiated with the Gomeroi people in good faith.