AGL PERMITTED TO DESTROY INDIGENOUS SITES WITHIN THE CAMDEN GAS FIELD

AGL have a section 90, this NSW Act provides separate provisions by which the destruction of Aboriginal objects can be permitted. http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/cultureheritage/09121AHIPGuide.pdf Around 108 Indigenous archaeological sites are identified within the whole Camden Gas Project area. Consultation was undertaken by Sydney Gas Operations Pty Limited (originally AGL's joint venture partner) in February 2005 only after the DECC introduced "Interim Community Consultation Requirements for Applicants" in January 2005. The Indigenous community consultation included public notification and liaison. Consultation was undertaken after Stage 2 was approved in 2004. The Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council http://www.tharawal.com.au/ , and Cubbitch Barta NTCAC (registered in 2007 with DECC as the traditional owner group) registered for consultation with AGL regard their Camden Gas Project. AGL are only required to consult with Traditional owners, they don't have to follow what they request. A Cubbitch Barta Traditional owner stated "We are always invited to carry out the aboriginal assessment, prior to mining, and it seems in some peoples eye's, particularly other members of the wider community, that because we are part of the process and we are paid, that we agree with it. This is NOT always the case" "because the project goes ahead people believe that we agree with it". http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planningsystem/pdf/southerncoalfieldinquiry_cubbitch_barta.pdf