Traditional Owners and Bravus welcome Queensland Government decision on Cultural Heritage

The Clermont Belyando (formerly Wangan and Jagalingou) Traditional Owner’s cultural heritage committee and Bravus Mining & Resources have welcomed a decision by the Queensland Government dismissing calls from activist organisation the Environmental Defenders Office for an investigation and stop work order relating to cultural heritage works at the Carmichael Mine in central Queensland.

Misleading allegations were made by the Environmental Defenders Office, brought about by a very small group of people who do not speak for the majority of Clermont Belyando Traditional Owners.

The Queensland Government’s decision confirms that the Clermont Belyando Traditional Owner’s cultural heritage committee is providing direction to Bravus Mining and Resources to ensure cultural heritage on the Carmichael Mine is managed in an appropriate, legal and respectful way.

Clermont Belyando Native Title Applicants Acting Coordinator Irene Simpson said: “We the Clermont Belyando people resent the EDO questioning our authority as Traditional Owners to manage our own Cultural Heritage on our Country, their interference is offensive and paternalistic.

“While we recognise Mr Codie McAvoy, his Family Council and followers do not agree with the Carmichael Project proceeding, the majority of the Clermont Belyando (formerly W&J) people do.

“It is important that groups like the EDO and the media acknowledge our views and rights as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and any decisions that are made respectfully by the majority of the Claim Group.

“Coedie McAvoy and his supporters may be outspoken, but that does not mean it is right that his views should be used to silence the overwhelming interests of the majority of the Claim Group.

“Coedie McAvoy and his supporters have campaigned for donations against the decision of the wider Claim Group to fight the validity of the ILUA between Bravus Mining and Resources (formerly known as Adani Mining) through the Federal Court since its inception in 2017.

“We are satisfied that the Cultural Heritage on the Carmichael Project site continues to be managed by the Cultural Heritage Committee in accordance with the CHMP between Bravus Mining and Resources and the Clermont Belyando people.”

The Environmental Defenders Office recently made a number of accusations against Bravus in relation to cultural clearance and relocation works detailed in a report based only upon opinion, without consulting the most relevant Traditional Owners and with no basis for technical mining expertise and in the absence of any first-hand knowledge of the activities being carried out at the Carmichael Mine – or input from any experts within the industry.

A spokesperson for Bravus Mining and Resources said cultural heritage works at Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael Mine were managed according to the legally-binding agreements in place between the company and the Clermont Belyando Native Title applicant group (formerly known as the Wangan & Jagalingou).

“We are pleased to see the Government has found we complied with our obligations under the cultural heritage management plan entered into with the Clermont and Belyando People and conducted the clearance works in accordance with the resolution passed at the Cultural Heritage Committee meeting on 1 October 2021.”

Cultural Heritage is managed in line with approvals given by the elders who make up the Cultural Heritage Committee, and who unanimously approved and oversaw these works. Any further works relating to this site will also be carried out in accordance with our agreement.

Traditional Owners appointed by the committee undertake cultural heritage clearances and monitor cultural heritage works at the site.

ENDS

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