Historical frontier war site and designated Aboriginal Place, Ravensworth Estate, is set to become an open cut coal mine under a plan by Glencore.
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, the site is considered a place of special significance to Aboriginal Culture and the Wonnarua People.
An application has been lodged by Greens MP David Shoebridge on behalf of traditional owners to the federal Environment Minister Melissa Price.
The application is currently under consideration.
David Shoebridge says with the state government refusing to act they must rely on federal protection.
"Ravensworth was the centre of Aboriginal resistance, resistance to the theft of traditional owners land and resistance to the loss of their sovereignty.
"That history has often been ignored and if this mine goes ahead this history will literally be destroyed.
"None of these state heritage laws can stop the approval of this coal mine. That is why we've had to rely on the urgent application under Commonwealth law."
 |
| Image from: The Australian |
