❓ Concerns raised regarding Gold Road Resources' consultation with Sullivan and Edwards native title holders regarding potential destruction of Aboriginal sites during the Gruyere gold mine project. Minister declines to intervene, citing existing heritage protection legislation.
AnsweredQoN 4426Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the potential destruction of
highly significant Aboriginal sites in the project area of Gold Road Resources’
tenements located, on Yamarna pastoral lease and the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal
Reserves, and the Federal Court’s finding in Murray on behalf of the Yilka
Native Title Claimants v State of Western Australia (No 5) [2016] FCA 752 , that members of the Sullivan and Edwards families (native title claim
WAD498/2011) hold native title over the tenements associated with Gold Road’s
proposed Gruyere gold mine at Minnie Creek, and I ask: (a) given
that the Sullivan Edwards native title holders have been excluded from all
heritage surveys relating to Gold Road’s proposed new mine at Minnie Creek and
associated infrastructure and exploration, will the Minister ensure that Gold
Road now consult appropriately with the Sullivans and Edwards native title
holders in order to avoid damage or destruction of Aboriginal sites under their
care or responsibility; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) will
the Minister ensure that the Department of Mines and Petroleum takes steps to ensure Gold
Road engage appropriately with the Sullivan and Edwards native title holders
prior to Gold Road constructing its proposed new mine at Minnie Creek and
associated infrastructure, in order to avoid damage or destruction of
Aboriginal sites; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) what
other steps will the Department of Mines and Petroleum take to prevent Gold Road damaging or
destroying Aboriginal sites on the area over which the court has recognized the
Sullivan Edwards native title rights; (f) did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum provide Gold Road advice that they should be aware of their legal obligations and make a reasonable
effort to find out if any sites covered by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 exist in the relevant areas; (g) if yes to (f), on what date; (h) did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum provide Gold Road advice that they should make contact with the relevant custodians of that country
to find out if any sites covered by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 exist in
the relevant areas; and (i) if yes to (h), on what date?
highly significant Aboriginal sites in the project area of Gold Road Resources’
tenements located, on Yamarna pastoral lease and the Cosmo Newberry Aboriginal
Reserves, and the Federal Court’s finding in Murray on behalf of the Yilka
Native Title Claimants v State of Western Australia (No 5) [2016] FCA 752 , that members of the Sullivan and Edwards families (native title claim
WAD498/2011) hold native title over the tenements associated with Gold Road’s
proposed Gruyere gold mine at Minnie Creek, and I ask: (a) given
that the Sullivan Edwards native title holders have been excluded from all
heritage surveys relating to Gold Road’s proposed new mine at Minnie Creek and
associated infrastructure and exploration, will the Minister ensure that Gold
Road now consult appropriately with the Sullivans and Edwards native title
holders in order to avoid damage or destruction of Aboriginal sites under their
care or responsibility; (b) if no to (a), why not; (c) will
the Minister ensure that the Department of Mines and Petroleum takes steps to ensure Gold
Road engage appropriately with the Sullivan and Edwards native title holders
prior to Gold Road constructing its proposed new mine at Minnie Creek and
associated infrastructure, in order to avoid damage or destruction of
Aboriginal sites; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) what
other steps will the Department of Mines and Petroleum take to prevent Gold Road damaging or
destroying Aboriginal sites on the area over which the court has recognized the
Sullivan Edwards native title rights; (f) did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum provide Gold Road advice that they should be aware of their legal obligations and make a reasonable
effort to find out if any sites covered by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 exist in the relevant areas; (g) if yes to (f), on what date; (h) did the
Department of Mines and Petroleum provide Gold Road advice that they should make contact with the relevant custodians of that country
to find out if any sites covered by the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 exist in
the relevant areas; and (i) if yes to (h), on what date?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 November 2016
Responded by
Attorney General representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
Answer as at 11 October 2016:
(a) No.
(b) Aboriginal heritage sites are afforded protection under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(c) No.
(d) Aboriginal heritage protection is afforded under the administration of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(e) The Department of Mines and Petroleum has drawn Gold Road’s attention to the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(f) Yes. The Department of Mines and Petroleum has drawn Gold Road’s attention to the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(g) 5 May 2016.
(h) No.
(i) Not applicable.
(a) No.
(b) Aboriginal heritage sites are afforded protection under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(c) No.
(d) Aboriginal heritage protection is afforded under the administration of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(e) The Department of Mines and Petroleum has drawn Gold Road’s attention to the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(f) Yes. The Department of Mines and Petroleum has drawn Gold Road’s attention to the provisions of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 .
(g) 5 May 2016.
(h) No.
(i) Not applicable.
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