Aboriginal Land Rights Lost: Inside the Gomeroi Community’s Battle Against Mining Giant Santos

For nearly ten years, the Gomeroi Traditional Owners have stood firm against a proposed coal seam gas project by Santos in the Pilliga Forest, which has escalated into a modern-day David vs Goliath story, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Indigenous rights, environmental conservation and multinational corporate interests.

The Gomeroi community has repeatedly raised alarms over the irreversible cultural and ecological damage the project could cause, drawing considerable public and union support… yet, despite these concerns the Native Title Tribunal recently approved Santos’s gas mining plans, sparking widespread anger and disbelief.

And support from unions and various community groups has grown stronger in response to the decision. Vanessa Seagrove, Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW, said the tribunal’s decision was a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles Indigenous communities face in Australia.

“We believe that the right to land is fundamental to the cultural identity and survival of Indigenous peoples. The ruling is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by First Nations communities in asserting their rights,” said Vanessa Seagrove, Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW.

The Gomeroi people, buoyed by solidarity from diverse supporters across Australia, remain determined to challenge Santos, underscoring the strength of community resistance in the face of overwhelming corporate power.