Indigenous Australians Battle for Sacred Springs Amidst Mining Controversy

Protests against the Carmichael coal mine continue as the Wangan and Jagalingou people defend their sacred Doongmabulla Springs. Despite challenges, including contentious agreements and legal obstacles, the community remains resolute in preserving their cultural heritage and environment.

A small ceremonial fire has been alight for over 1,300 days on Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) Country in central Queensland, marking an ongoing protest against the Carmichael coal mine, owned by Adani (operating locally as Bravus). This mine encroaches on the traditional lands of the W&J people, igniting a fierce battle over cultural and environmental rights.

Adrian Burragubba and his son, Coedie McAvoy, have emerged as leading voices in this resistance, positioning their fight as a spiritual and cultural struggle. "Where my land is, there's a mine trying to destroy my country," Adrian asserts, highlighting the deep connection Indigenous Australians have to their land. Central to their concerns is Doongmabulla Springs, a sacred site linked to the rainbow serpent Mundagudda, representing origins of water and life in ancient Aboriginal lore.

The springs are vital to the region's ecosystem, underpinned by a larger underground water system essential for sustaining the surrounding area. However, scientists like Professor Matthew Currell from Griffith University have observed troubling signs of hydrocarbon pollution within the spring waters—potentially linked to mining activities—prompting calls for a reevaluation of mining impacts.

In a 2023 review, the national science agency CSIRO critiqued Bravus's groundwater models as inadequate, leading the government to prohibit underground mining due to concerns over the springs' preservation. Bravus, contesting this decision, claims their operations pose no risk to environmental or cultural sites.

Community sentiments remain divided; while seven of twelve W&J family groups signed agreements with Adani for economic incentives, some feel the cost to land and culture is too high. "Mining is God in this country. One mine has divided a whole nation," Coedie reflects.

The backdrop to this conflict includes a complicated legal history. Indigenous land rights, governed by the Native Title Act, grant limited rights contingent upon proven continuous connection to the land. The W&J filed a Native Title claim in 2004, which was eventually dismissed in 2021, stripping them of their rights to negotiate in future mining projects.

Adrian Burragubba is now pursuing a judicial review, alleging the mine threatens his community's human rights. His case could set a landmark precedent for Indigenous activism regarding cultural preservation. Even after facing bankruptcy due to legal costs and fracturing community ties, Adrian remains steadfast. "Without the water, we're all dead," he emphasizes, implicating the extent of their fight for survival.

As the courtroom battle continues, the Queensland government has requested to dismiss Adrian's case regarding human rights, as the community awaits the verdict with hope and determination.