‘Harassed’, ‘threatened’, ‘slandered’: Indigenous elders speak to war of words over Blayney gold mine

Indigenous elders from the long-silent Central West Aboriginal Corporation have alleged ‘slander’ and ‘threats’ after their role in stalling the Blayney gold mine.

The area proposed for a tailings dam near Blayney, rejected due to it being of cultural significance. It sits at the intersection of the Belubula River and Dungeon Road. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The Wiradjuri Indigenous elders who lodged a protection order application for the McPhillamys gold mine site have ended weeks of silence, saying they have been “slandered” and “threatened” for their advocacy.

In submissions to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation called for the total protection of the McPhillamys site, which is located on the outskirts of Orange near the town of Blayney.

The proposed location of the open pit, processing plant and tailings dam at McPhillamys Gold Project. Picture: Supplied

Partially accepted by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, the project from Regis Resources was stalled when the site of its proposed tailings dam was brought under departmental protection on the grounds of potential damage to local culture and the Belubula river.

Remarks from Uncle Jade Flynn known in language as Yanhadarrambal, were published in ABC News on Thursday.

Both Uncle Jade and Wirribee Aunty Leanna Carr, who appeared alongside him in ABC’s photography, sit on the WTOCWAC.

“We’ve been slandered,” Uncle Jade said “We’ve been accused of lying, accused of profiting from the application.”

“We’ve had our members threatened and harassed.”

“The corporation doesn’t receive any ongoing funding, it has no political ties or agendas, other than its aim to protect country and to provide cultural orientation and education to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people.”

Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation historian Lisa Paton. Ms Paton submitted one of the group’s applications to the DCCEEW. Picture: Central Western Daily/ACM

He argued for the cultural significance of the site.

“There’s 19 artefact scatters and 18 isolated finds,” he said.

“This proof of occupation and use of that site directly correlates to the intangible cultural heritage of the area. So, that’s the creation and dreaming stories and the song lines.

“We are country and country is us.”

The application of the WTOCWAC was partially accepted despite its contrast to the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, a group critics have argued more broadly represents the Indigenous community of the region.

While previously opposed to Regis’ mining proposal, the Orange LALC had revised its stance prior to the site’s approval by the NSW Planning Commission, saying it had no view on the development of a mine.

The former Coalition government had similarly turned to the WTOCWAC in favour of the Land Council in deciding not to progress construction of a go-kart track atop Bathurst’s Mount Panorama.