'Truly terrible precedent': Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek sparks investment concerns after shutting down Regis gold mine on disputed Indigenous heritage site
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek's decision to scutter plans for a billion-dollar gold mine in regional New South Wales over Indigenous heritage site concerns has set a"truly terrible precedent" for future investments in Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council said there was no sacred site and was “not against approval for the mine”. Picture: Regis Resources
“Protecting cultural heritage and development are not mutually exclusive. We can have both,” she said.“Regis notes that during the Section 10 assessment process, it was made clear to the Minister that the project would not be viable if the Section 10 declaration was made,” the statement read. The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies have expressed their concern about the decision made with reference to the Indigenous Heritage Act as it set a “
“It just means an Aboriginal heritage site can’t be destroyed to build a waste dump for the mine,” the spokesperson said.