Gerry Georgatos
Aboriginal Elders from Wiluna have slammed WA's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in approving an application for a nearby uranium mine, and it now appears only a matter of time for the state government to approve the EPA decision.
The EPA has given their go-ahead for the Toro Energy company's proposal to develop the mine 30 kilometres from Wiluna - It will become WA's first uranium mine.
Wiluna local and Senior Law Man Glen Cooke criticised the consultation process that led to the EPA approval. Mr Cooke is seeking a meeting with state and federal ministers to fight for the safety and rights of his people.
"Toro Energy they only talk to a few people, always the same people. It’s not right, the people from Bondini’s (the community closest to the proposed mine) sometimes they don’t know about meetings, or they are not invited to meetings or they can’t get to meetings. This is not right," said Mr Cooke.
“(State minister) Marmion and (federal minister) Burke they will be making a big decision that will affect our community, our dreaming and our health. Before they make a decision on what happens in our community, before signing away our country from many thousands of kilometres away they should come and look us in the eyes," he said.
Chairperson of the West Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA), Ngalia man Kado Muir said the approval by the EPA "has sent a shiver" through Aboriginal communities.
"Wherever they transport uranium through Western Australia all peoples will shiver with fear. The decision has shocked the Goldfield's Aboriginal communities. Our families in Wiluna face the prospect of having their country and environment poisoned by the Toro mine while those of us living in Leonora and Kalgoorlie can only live in fear and hope that the road trains driving through our towns do not have accidents."
Kalgoorlie mayor Ron Yuryevich said he is not opposed to the mine as long as the uranium is not transported through Kalgoorlie.
Mr Muir fears for the well-being of country all along the proposed road transport route from the Toro mine, along the Goldfields highway, the Eyre highway and into South Australia where the uranium will be processed and stored.
"Lead transported from Esperance to Fremantle has proven that it dangerous leaks happen. There was lead contamination with readings dangerously above base levels. If the industry and government-owned ports could not assure safe transport of lead how are they going to cope with uranium?" said Mr Muir.
"This is Russian Roulette."
"It is an irresponsible politically motivated decision by the EPA to pander to (Premier) Barnett's mantra of development at all costs."
"The EPA needs to redeem its legitimacy and hold a full public inquiry as provided for by the Act. We need to engage with the wider environmental and public health consequences of uranium mining," he said.
"This is about our peoples' lives, about the future of our children. We want them to grow safe and healthy, not poisoned and ill," said Mr Cooke.
After the state government approves the application then it is the turn of the federal government to provide their approval.
