Traditional owners in remote western Queensland are seeking to have two reserves receive ‘special wildlife’ status in a bid to stop multiple mining ventures.
Located on the border of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the Pilungah and Ethabuka reserves contain spiritually significant carvings and caves.
The area is also rich with deposits of minerals which are the target of mining companies including Rio Tinto.
Wangkamadla traditional owners have partnered with site owner Bush Heritage Australia to have the two reserves granted special wildlife status, which would cancel dozens of mining permits across the region.
Wangkamadla woman Avelina Tarrago told the ABC they want to avoid another Juukan Gorge situation.
“It’s not just for our generations living now, its for our future generations and as traditional custodians we have that obligation to preserve and enrich our history. Once those pristine landscapes are damaged they’re irreplaceable.”
