A native title group move to stop Adani Australia from registering an Indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) for its Carmichael coal development in Queensland’s Galilee Basin has been rejected in Federal Court.
The Wangan and Jagalingou group this week appealed a court decision that blocked its application to extend an interim injunction, permitted last December. The group had applied for the injunction after Adani entered a surrender process that would allow it to start construction of the proposed mine.
However, the court dismissed the application earlier this month and blocked an appeal of that decision yesterday.
Adani welcomed the Federal Court decision, saying it represented an important milestone in the development of the Carmichael project and paved the way for the granting of interests in land detailed in its ILUA.
“We recognise the Traditional Owners of the land, including the Wangan and Jagalingou people,” the company said in a statement.
“We have listened to and worked closely with traditional owners over many years to agree the terms of the ILUA and to ensure the Carmichael project will deliver jobs, training and business opportunities for traditional owners.
“Adani respects the strength and leadership of the Wangan and Jagalingou people and their long-term vision to create economic opportunities for their people.”
Adani has committed to an Indigenous employment target of 7.5 per cent, $250 million for indigenous business development and contracting, and a $7.5 million Indigenous training package that includes a target of 10 per cent Indigenous trainees at Carmichael.