In the middle of a growing reaction over the destruction of Aboriginal heritage websites, a proposition for the Ashburton River in Western Australia’s Pilbara region linked to billionaire and benefactor Andrew Forrest is the most recent to come under analysis.
Bottom line:
- Mr Forrest wishes to develop 10 weirs on a river going through his home
- The Thalanyji people and Indigenous Affairs Minister declined the strategy
- Mr Forrest is appealing the choice under a controversial WA heritage law
Mr Forrest is being prompted to withdraw from a proposed watering job on the river, which is regarded as a spiritual website by the local Thalanyji native victor.
A private business belonging to Mr Forrest is appealing versus a choice by WA Indigenous Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt to decline an application to construct 10 weirs– small dams– on the river, under Section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
It was Area 18 that Rio Tinto used under to destroy ancient rock shelters last month
But, as Mr Forrest fights the State Government for approval in the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), one of the regional Thalanyji individuals, Trudy Hayes, has actually prompted him to think again.
” The river is a location for everyone,” Ms Hayes said.
” We grew up along the river, our stories and tune lines are along that r