Mood:
sharpTopic: nsw govt
For more photos from actions in Canada
Background
One imagines with rainfall reaching south eastern Australia now that we might expect to see beautiful natural scenes of vibrant ecology at Lake Cowal in central NSW. Well we would except that a huge cyanide gold mine was officially approved by the Carr Govt in 1999, and eventually opened in late 2006 after a slump in the gold price caused a delay. Here are some of the wonders of Lake Cowal when it last had rainfall in the mid 1990ies:
Diversity of life at the mouth of Bland Creek, Lake Cowal's inflow.
Lake Cowal viewed from Wamboyne Mountain, showing lignum beds.
Pelicans by the flock hunting through the shallows of Lake Cowal.
One imagines the cyanide will not be much good for rare and beautiful critters like this:
The rare Freckled Duck, a frequent inhabitant of Lake Cowal.
The rare and beautiful Superb Parrot lives in the woodlands surrounding Lake Cowal.
But it's not just the locals who get upset about the cyanide. It comes from the big city of Sydney and likely is a serious safety concern here too:
ABC News: Protestors have gathered outside Pacific National freight yard in Chullora to blockade trucks carrying cyanide. (ABC News) 2nd May 2007
Concerned citizens have gathered at Chullora in western Sydney to protest against the multinational mining company Barrick Gold.
The protest was part of an International Day of Action against the company.
Barrick Gold has mines across the globe, including North and South America, Africa and Australia.
Protestors gathered at the entrance to transport company, Pacific National, on Dasea street, to blockade trucks carrying cyanide to Barrick's mine at Lake Cowal.
"Cyanide Watch" organiser, Graeme Dunstan, says he wants to know how much cyanide is being transported on Sydney roads.
"We want communities to know about the possible threat from a cyanide spill to their public health and water ways," he said.
Mr Dunstan says the maker of the cyanide, Orica, the transporter Pacific National, and the New South Wales Planning Minister are withholding information about how much cyanide is being trucked around the state.
"If the government won't tell us how much cyanide is being carried, if the carrier Pacific National say they can't tell us, and Orica are refusing to tell us, how are we going to find out?" he said.
"If they won't tell us, we're going to ask the truck drivers direct. We'll stand in front of the trucks and demand to know."
"We're going to make sure they become visible, we are going to drag them into accountability."
But Barrick Gold says it is committed to ensuring that the environment and local communities are protected.
The company's community relations manager, Bill Shallvey, says strict safety precautions are in place to prevent spillages and accidents.
"The company has always been open about how much cyanide is being transported to site. These figures appear on our Environment Impact Statement," he said.
"These figures state there are in excess of 6,000 of cyanide tonnes per annum for the Lake Cowal project."
"Barrick is the first mine globally that has been certified under the International Cyanide Management Code. And we also choose to buy our cyanide off Orica, which is also a signatory to that code."
"And that code is actually voluntary. It involves the safe transport, manufacturing, handling of materials, emergency response planning and community consultation."
Mr Shallvey says Mr Dunstan's claim that Barrick Gold is withholding information is unfounded.
"We don't hide these things," he said.
"I don't think Mr Dunstan has anything better to do, and he misleads a lot of young people that don't know any better. Mr Dunstan encourages these people to trespass on site and do things that are very dangerous."
Aboriginal significance of Lake Cowal
more images here at savelakecowal.org
Picture above Wiradjuri Elders Neville "Chappy" Williams (third from left) and Ron Gardner (back to camera in wheelchair) in tense negotiations with Barrick's Steve Robinson (fourth from left) while other Barrick staff and protestors look on. Barrick Gold office foyer, Perth Western Australia 11 July 2007.
Photo: Jane Morrison
Picture above Neville "Chappy" Williams, Wiradjuri Traditional Owner addressing protestors outside the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation (WCC)'s office, Condobolin, Saturday 7 April 2007. Barrick Gold funds the WCC through a secret agreement that the majority of the Wiradjuri Nation
has not authorised. Photo: Jane Morrison
Lake Cowal is the sacred land of the Aboriginal Wiradjuri people. Neville Williams from the 'Save Lake Cowal' campaign:
"Lake Cowal, it's part of the Wiradjuri nation, it's a dreaming place. We are part of the land since time begun, the natural way."
The land surrounding Lake Cowal has a rich cultural heritage according to Williams, who travelled the area with his grandfather in the 1940s and 50s.
"It is filled with marked trees, very old trees, shields and all sorts of sacred objects," he says. "The area is very, very rich in Aboriginal artefacts and cultural objects; stone axes, very small blades and microlits are still being found at Lake Cowal. I see it as ludicrous that in the Land and Environmental Court the judges said at various times that the crown owns the artefacts. Well, let me tell you that the Crown doesn't own the artefacts, we inherited them, they were made by our old people and they belong to us."
The land is also regarded as sacred for the Wiradjuri nation because, as explained by Williams, a huge Aboriginal massacre occurred at Lake Cowal in the late 1800s.
"Marshall law was enforced on my people, by mountain settlers, when killing Aboriginals wasn't murder," says Williams.
Williams believes the drilling at the open-cut gold mine is drilling into the spirits of the Wiradjuri ancestors.
"If I smashed my way into a cathedral, tipped the alter over, pushed the priest out of the way and grabbed the bible and tore a heap of chapters out I would be arrested," says Williams. "I feel that the Government and the mining company have absolutely no regard for our culture."
Picture above: Protesters at the Lake Cowal gold mining site. PHOTO: Natalie Kent 2004
We at SAM strongly believe in this campaign having raised several thousand dollars to bring a cyanide mining expert from the United States for legal evidence to tackle the similarly wrong headed Timbarra gold mine around 1999/2000.
However a select group of favoured green groups have preferred to 'work with' the mining company in a blatant greenwashing exercise involving big dollars to these craven green groups:
"The current members of the Foundation include the Total Environment Centre, National Parks Association, Nature Conservation Council and Barrick Australia Limited. The Lake Cowal Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors represented by five Directors including two environmental NGO representatives, a local landholder representing the Bland Shire Community, one independent scientist and a representative from Barrick."at http://lakecowalfoundation.org.au/index.cfm?objectid=9F3C510A-91EB-7705-7630C4979809223D
The Sydney Daily Telegraph exposed the terms of the greenwashing Trust fund in June1997 via admirable reportage of Simon Benson (on or about 9 June 1997) in
“$6m for greens in mine deal”. “Green MP Ian Cohen, who has campaigned against the mine on the basis it may leach cyanide from waste ponds into wetlands, was outraged at the deal, as were the local environment groups.”
The extract from the Telegraph article reads:
“THE LAKE COWAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST”
‘Provided that construction of the Cowal Gold Mine is commenced, North agrees to make the following donations:
(a) $100,000 per year during the construction period and the production life of the mine;
(b) up to $100,000 per year during the production life of the mine to match dollar for dollar monies that are donated to the Trust from other sources.'
How much money have these select green groups obtained and how has it been spent over the last 10 years? If construction and operation only since 2004 due to delay around a slump in the gold price, and finally opened by Premier Iemma in late 2006, we are already talking 4 x $100K = $400,000 to trusty select green groups, not counting any dollar for dollar matching of donations from other sources (govt? public?) by the miners, with an eventual limit of $6 million from the miners. Has any environmental benefit really accrued? Or was it a grotesque sell out as suspected by many people?
The spin from one big hungry green group for this juicy deal with the mining industry is here:
“Mining - Negotiating the pitfalls
“At Lake Cowal, approval for North's deep open-cut gold mine intruding into a section of the lake came after a second Commission of Inquiry was conducted to evaluate a revised proposal with lesser cyanide levels; power lines relocated away from bird flight paths; and other modifications. The initial development application was rejected as unacceptable by Premier Carr in a decision announced during the 1996 Brisbane Ramsar Convention meeting, fulfilling a promise to Milo Dunphy shortly before his death (see also NPJ August 1999).
“In this, as in so many other ventures, the influential drivers for mine approval were the potential profits for the company itself and those who wanted to boost a local economy in decline. However, lateral thinkers in the company, the unions and the environment movement proposed exploring the possibility for common ground should the mine get the go-ahead.
“This led to the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (NPA is one of the signatories) to establish an Environmental Trust, aimed at improving conservation management and protection of significant wetland values. This move is probably a first, reflecting a generational change of approach from the mining industry, and could serve as a pilot.
"While no compensation for loss of wetland integrity, it nevertheless is intended to ensure some of the mining profits contribute to longterm environmental benefits alongside the economic ones. These include protection of important remaining wetland values, native vegetation and associated natural and Aboriginal heritage values around Lake Cowal; and potentially to help offset the threats of salinity, due to past clearing and changed water regimes associated with irrigation and dryland farming.
“Many will be watching to see whether the hoped-for outcomes will be achieved over time as people, and possibly even mine ownership, changes.”
Anne Reeves NPA Journal , October 1999
If pressed these select green groups on the drip will say they opposed the cyanide mine at Lake Cowal in the mid 1990ies and this is almost certainly true. But we don't recall any such campaigning by these groups in the late1990ies once they fell under the influence of Jeff Angel: They took the money over the heads of the local opposition and regional green movement and especially Traditional Owners and nascent Green Party all under the guidance of Jeff Angel as new sole director of the Total Environment Centre. That's the truth of the matter.
Aboriginal Traditional Owners oppose the mine at Lake Cowal outright, most notably spokesperson Neville Williams, as do most ethical green organisations:
From: "benny zable" To: [independent green groups]Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 10:37 PM Subject: Re: Lake Cowal Foundation
> Dear Ruth [Rosenhek Rainforest Information Centre] and Jane
> Thank you for sending me this!
> I am am outraged by this finding. I had no idea about this agreement. This
> is a big betrayal. We need some sort of liason between us and the Total
> Environment Centre and Co. This is not OK to have a Total Environment Centre
> making such deals, that compets with Uncle Chappy, Friends of the Earth, the
> Rainforest Information Centre and other environmental groups who have put
> resources and time to protest to expose and act on what is clearly an abuse
> of Aboriginal heritage and environmental degredation. To set up a foundation
> for Lake Cowal preservation first and formost needs the permission and
> endorsement from Uncle Chappy let alone to make a monetry deal.
> Have they held discussions with Uncle Chappy?
> Who where the parties that authorised these deals?
> How long has this foundation been in operation?
> Are they aware of our ongoing campaign?
> I will raise this with folks at the Rainbow Chai Tent on Sunday.
> We need some explenations. There is also some rumors of a sell out by the
> Total Environment Centre on the Anvil Hill mine . Is this true? What are
> the facts?
> We need transperancy and acountability in the environmental movement.
> What about a conference with all the players associated with the Lake Cowal
> campaign including those on the front line?
>
> Benny Zable
>
>
>>From: Ruth Rosenhek <
>>To: [independent green groups]
>>Subject: Re: Lake Cowal Foundation
>>Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 19:12:08 +1100
>>
>>my gawd, what a farce! Check out this paragraph:
>>
>><<The COI found that the project could be developed and operated in a
>>manner that was compatible with the environmental values of Lake Cowal. The
>>Cowal Gold Mine was met with some opposition from Environmental groups and
>>organizations. After considerable consultation with these groups, a
>>Memorandum of Understanding was signed and the Lake Cowal Foundation (LCF),
>>a not for profit Environmental Trust was established in June 2000 with the
>>objective of protecting and enhancing the natural environment in the Lake
>>Cowal region. The Lake Cowal Foundation is primarily sponsored through a
>>negotiated royalty from the Cowal Gold Project, for the life of the gold
>>project. During the operational life of the mine, payments exceeding $2
>>million are expected to be made to the Lake Cowal Foundation.>>
>>
>>Sure, we need to respond but there is so much to respond to!
>>
>>peace
>>for the Earth
>>Ruth
>>
>>___
>>
>>At 12:01 PM +1100 9/11/06, Jane Morrison wrote:
>>>Hi All,
>>>
>>>I thought you might like to know that the Lake Cowal Foundation has a
>>>website and is calling for donations to "conserve the lake"!!
>>>
>>>http://lakecowalfoundation.org.au/
>>>
>>>Jane
How did this disgraceful state of affairs of financial compromise of the green movement come about? We submit the chronology occurred like this, not least the handover of control of the Total Environment Centre from Milo Dunphy to trusty Jeff Angel in 1997:
and
Thursday, 16 August 2007 Is Jeff Angel an ALP collaborator in environmental destruction?
Traditional Owner Neville Williams had a very significant interim legal win in early November 2004 at the link below and his campaign continues with much support as per the links below:
* 2 May 2007 Lake Cowal goldmining boss "so sorry" for desecration | Sydney ...
* 9 April 2007 14 Protestors Arrested at Wiradjuri Lake Cowal Demonstration ...
* Wednesday, 31 January 2007 Angelic greenwashing of water guzzling cyanide gold mine at Lake Cowal
* 29/09/06 Opposition to the "Official" opening of Lake Cowal Gold Mine.
* November 5th 2004 interim legal victory against Lake Cowal mine infrastructure
* 3rd May 2004 Five arrested at Lake Cowal protecting sacred Wiradjuri land
* 29 April 2004 Police bulldozers at protest camp
More background with links for active public interest groups involved in the Lake Cowal issue and definitely on the side of goodness and light, in our humble opinion anyway ...
Also see the video produced by Rainforest Information Centre web link above and refer to this letter following from civil society groups to Barrick Gold multinational:
COALITION TO PROTECT LAKE COWAL
PO Box 368, Lismore, NSW 2480
61 (02) 66213294
Peter Munk, Chairman
Barrick Gold Corporation
Royal Bank Plaza -Suite 2700
Toronto
Canada M5J 2J3
January 3, 2002
Dear Mr. Munk,
This letter is to officially inform you of our urgent request that the gold mining project planned for Lake Cowal, an area that is listed on the Register of the National Estate as well as the Directory of Important Wetlands, be immediately halted and that no further mining activities or related work occur now or in the future at the Lake Cowal site or surroundings.
The Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal -- Nature Conservation Council, Friends of the Earth - Australia, The NSW Greens, Mineral Policy Institute, Central West Branch of The Wilderness Society, Central West Environment Council, Rainforest Information Centre, Humane Society International and others -- aims to protect the Lake Cowal region against high risk extractive industries such as gold mining and to restore the land in and around the Lake to a healthy vibrant ecosystem.
It is unacceptable to risk cyanide spills, acid mine drainage and heavy metals, to name but
a few of the possible consequences, in this important listed area. A spill of cyanide laced wastewater could wipe out the entire wetland and related waterways. With the region being prone to floods, these sorts of risks are vastly increased.
In addition, the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal supports the Aboriginal community of Condobolin who have declared their opposition to the Lake Cowal gold mine project. It is the Coalition's understanding that Homestake/Barrick and their predecessors have not properly consulted with many traditional owners from the region.
Homestake/Barrick should reconsider this undertaking. We believe that there are alternative means of revenue generation possible for this region that would benefit both land and people.
Many of the Coalition member groups have been involved in an extensive and successful campaign to shut down the Timbarra Gold Mine in Northern New South Wales. This mine was proclaimed to be of the highest environmental standards and yet is now seen to be a disgrace by the industry itself with a slumping heap leach pad and several overflows from ponds containing contaminated water.
The environmental and human rights record of Homestake/Barrick has already been marred by a number of infamous violations including the 1997 civil suit filed by the US Department of Justice, the State of South Dakota and the Cheyenne River Sioux against Homestake, the May 1998 spill of cyanide-laced tailings from the Homestake Mine into Whitewood Creek and current allegations against Barrick in Tanzania.
We urge you to work towards restoring your corporations' reputation by abandoning the Lake Cowal project forthwith. To proceed further would be to engage in a costly and long drawn out conflict with environmental defenders of NSW and Australia.
Clean water more precious than gold.
Please advise us of your decision at your soonest convenience.
Yours respectfully,
the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal
Friends of the Earth - Australia
Nature Conservation Council (Sydney)
Central West Branch TWS (Orange)
Mineral Policy Institute (Sydney)
The Greens NSW (Sydney)
Rainforest Information (Centre Lismore)
Central West Environment Council
Nimbin Environment Centre (Nimbin)
Humane Society International (Avalon, NSW)
Peacebus.com
………………………………
Campaign website of the Save Lake Cowal Coalition involving Ruth Rosenhek of Rainforest Information Centre.
....................
Lake Cowal threatened!! |
 Waterbirds fly at dusk, Lake Cowal, NSW, Australia. |  Waterfowl, including the rare Freckled Duck. |
 Healthy lignum, waterbird nesting habitat, Lake Cowal. |  Flooded lignum and canegrass, Lake Cowal, important wetland habitat. |
One of the most precious freshwater wetland complexes in eastern Australia, Lake Cowal, central New South Wales, is threatened with a proposed open-cut cyanide-leach mine and toxic tailings dams!
Lake Cowal is a National Estate wetland of immense biological and cultural importance. It is a major habitat for migratory and nomadic waterbirds on a national scale, a sacred place for the Wiradjuri people, and a favoured destination for many outdoor enthusiasts.
Conservation organisations, both government and community, believe that the fragile ecology of this wetland is no place for a toxic mine.
Enjoy this photographic tour of Lake Cowal, then please visit the link provided below to participate in the email campaign.
Diversity of life at the mouth of Bland Creek, Lake Cowal's inflow.
Thousands of visitors have enjoyed Lake Cowal over the years.
Lake Cowal viewed from Wamboyne Mountain, showing lignum beds.
Pelicans by the flock hunting through the shallows of Lake Cowal.
Stormclouds over a flooded Lake Cowal.
Receding waters leave milfoil and river red gums. 
Rufous Night Herons gather near their nesting colony in flooded Lake Cowal forest. 
Sacred Ibis arrive to roost for the night, Lake Cowal. 
Family of Great Crested Grebe on Lake Cowal, one of the multitude of waterbirds which raise their young on the lake. 
Squadron of pelicans hunt in the river red gum flooded forest, Lake Cowal. 
Flock of Straw-necked Ibis wheel on thermals above the nesting colony in Lake Cowal lignum. 
Wandering Whistle Duck photographed at Lake Cowal, far from its northern habitats. The lake is a meeting place for nomadic waterbirds from all over Australia.
The rare Freckled Duck, a frequent inhabitant of Lake Cowal. 
Male Blue-billed Ducks display during the breeding season, one of the rarer waterbird species which use Lake Cowal. 
Yellow-billed Spoonbill catches prey by feel in its special bill. 
White-necked or Pacific Heron hunts in old-growth river red gum flooded forest. 
Great Egrets hunt in the wetland shallows, along with herons, ibis and spoonbills. 
Nest and eggs of a Magpie Goose pair which nested on Lake Cowal in 1989. The lake supports unusual wildlife for its latitude.
The rare and beautiful Superb Parrot lives in the woodlands surrounding Lake Cowal. 
Windmill in water shows the ephemeral nature of Lake Cowal, the wet and dry phases of which are both of ecological importance to the functioning of its ecosystem, and to agriculture and fisheries. 
People as well as wildlife flock to the lake to enjoy its natural values. Campers at Lake Cowal.
 | A White-faced Heron preens to protect its wings while at peace in the productive shallows of Lake Cowal. Everyone needs to protect and care for their assets.
|
Hope you enjoyed this tour of Lake Cowal. If you would like to see the lake and wetlands stay this way, please take a moment to participate in the email campaign:
Sun rises over the waters of Lake Cowal - the dawning of another day across this timeless and priceless jewel of nature.
