❓ Question regarding potential destruction of Aboriginal sites by Gold Road Resources due to lack of consultation with Sullivan Edwards native title holders. The Minister states the Department is investigating a complaint and liaising with stakeholders, requiring Gold Road to consult and seek permits.
AnsweredQoN 4427Legislative 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 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 Aboriginal Affairs 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 Aboriginal Affairs take to prevent Gold Road
damaging or destroying Aboriginal sites on the area over which the Court has
recognised the Sullivan Edwards native title rights; (f) have
any section 18 applications been lodged with respect to the area over which the
Court has recognised the Sullivan Edwards native title rights; and (g) if yes
to (f), were they lodged with the knowledge and approval of the Sullivan Edwards
native title rights holders?
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 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 Aboriginal Affairs 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 Aboriginal Affairs take to prevent Gold Road
damaging or destroying Aboriginal sites on the area over which the Court has
recognised the Sullivan Edwards native title rights; (f) have
any section 18 applications been lodged with respect to the area over which the
Court has recognised the Sullivan Edwards native title rights; and (g) if yes
to (f), were they lodged with the knowledge and approval of the Sullivan Edwards
native title rights holders?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 November 2016
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
36 days
(a)-(e) The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has received a complaint regarding Gold Road Resources’ activities within the Yamarna lease and is investigating the complaint. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs has conducted an on-site inspection of the area and is liaising with all relevant Aboriginal stakeholders, including the Sullivan Edwards Native Title Claim Group, its legal representative and Gold Road Resources. Gold Road Resources has been advised it must consult with Aboriginal inhabitants and seek a mining entry permit through the Aboriginal Lands Trust and myself, as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, in order to access land, which is restricted by Part III of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 .
(f) No.
(g) Not applicable.
(f) No.
(g) Not applicable.
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