Greens Welome Court Decision on Lake Cowal

Greens Welome Court Decision on Lake Cowal

Media Release - November 5, 2004

Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon today welcomed the Land & Environment Court's decision to halt construction of a transmission line at the Lake Cowal gold mine.

"This is a major victory for the indigenous Wiradjuri community, and a vindication for their tireless campaign to protect Lake Cowal," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens hope this decision encourages indigenous communities across NSW to fight for their rights when developers and miners ignore proper process.

"The Carr Government has a track record of responding to Court decisions of this kind by introducing laws to quash the judges' ruling.

"In the interest of the rights and well-being of the Wiradjuri community and the local environment, the Greens urge the Premier to accept the Court's decision."

Ms Rhiannon also said she was looking forward to Parliament resuming debate on her Bill to ban cyanide leach mining this Tuesday.

"I will be seeking to resume debate on my bill to ban this environmentally destructive form of mining, and I hope Labor and the Coalition will support the debate.

"I call on Labor and the Coalition to make their position clear on my Bill by allowing the Parliamentary debate to take place, and I urge them to support the ban for all future gold and silver mines," Ms Rhiannon said.

Hans van Leeuwen Media Adviser Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon Parliament of NSW Macquarie St, Sydney 2000 T: (61 2) 9230 3551 F: (61 2) 9230 3550 M: 0425 310 562 hans.vanleeuwen@parliament.nsw.gov.au