Traditional owners banned from Origin Energy fracking meeting

Traditional owners were forced out of an Origin Energy meeting in Tennant Creek this week after they tried to present a letter with more than 200 signatures contesting plans to begin fracking.

BANNED: Outside Origin Energy's fracking meeting
in Tennant Creek this week, community members
hold a list of signatures from more than 200
Traditional Owners who say they have not been
 consulted about fracking plans.

Police were called to the location, where Origin's fracking plans were being challenged by community members, Native Title holders and pastoralists.

Origin Energy holds exploration permits for over 18,000 square kilometres of the Northern Territory's Beetaloo gas basin, in the Northern Barkly region.

The NT Government lifted its three-year moratorium on fracking last year, allowing the development of an onshore shale gas industry, which could start any day. 

Read the story from The Katherine Times by Roxanne Fitzgerald - “Traditional owners banned from Origin Energy fracking meeting.”

Adani coal mine poses 'alarming' risk to sacred wetlands, traditional owners say

Traditional owners who are fighting the Adani mine in central Queensland say they welcome scientists' concerns about impacts on the Doongmabulla Springs but do not trust any government to ensure the miner protects their sacred wetlands.

Little Moses springs and its surrounds is
about 7 kilometres from the mine site.

The ABC this week became the first media organisation to visit the remote springs complex — one of the world's last unspoiled desert oases — which are at the centre of a controversial Morrison Government decision that thrust Adani forward as a federal election issue.

The trip to the nationally important wetlands was at the invitation of a determined group of mine opponents within the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) people, who have vowed to take their fight all the way to The Hague.

Read the ABC News story by Josh Robertson - “Adani coal mine poses 'alarming' risk to sacred wetlands, traditional owners say.”

(Asked at the April gathering of Shepparton’s Beneath the Wisteria about, Nicholls candidate and Murray electorate incumbent, Damian Drum, said the Adani mine had the support of Australia’s indigenous people, but obviously he was handling the truth rather loosely - Robert McLean)

'Water for Victoria' - new report

One chapter is devoted to climate change.

The Victorian Government has set a new long-term direction for managing Victoria’s precious water resources.

Water for Victoria is a plan for a future with less water as Victoria responds to the impact of climate change and a growing population. The actions set out in the plan support a healthy environment, a prosperous economy with growing agricultural production, and thriving communities.

Water for Victoria was developed following extensive community consultation, including with the agriculture sector, business, Traditional Owners, recreational groups, water corporations and catchment management authorities.

The Water for Victoria discussion paper, published in March 2016, received 272 submissions. Over 700 people also contributed their ideas, knowledge and opinions on Victoria’s water priorities at 27 community and stakeholder workshops across Victoria in April 2016.

Check out the report - “Water for Victoria.”