Court to decide fate of Lake Torrens sacred sites

An Adelaide court will decide the fate of the sacred sites at Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island.

The case was taken to court by the explorer Straits Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd.

The move followed a decision by the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Grace Portolesi, to authorise damage, disturbance or interference with any aboriginal sites, objects or remains located within the vicinity of Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island.

The case seeks authorisation from the Environment, Resources and Development Court for Straits Exploration (Australian) Pty Ltd to commence a drill program on Lake Torrens.

Native Title Claim group Kokatha Uwankara  is heavily defending the court action.

The case is part heard, with six people called by claim group members having given evidence against the proposed drilling.

Much of the evidence has been heard in closed court, as it involved gender restricted and highly sacred men’s stories and information.

If the case is successfully defended, it will be the first time ever that the ERD court or National Native Title Tribunal has said no to mineral exploration on native title land.

The case, if lost, may set a worrying precedent for mining companies who wish to drill on sacred sites, particularly large iconic salt lakes which are National Parks, such as Lake Gairdner and Lake Eyre.

The case continues in early 2011.