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| Some of those supporting the Clarence Catchment Alliance on 17 March 2023. IMAGE: supplied |
The Clarence Catchment Alliance was thrilled with the support received during their ‘ban on mining in the Clarence Catchment pledge signing’ event in Yamba last Friday. At the same time, they and the community were disappointed by the absence of two key candidates’ signatures.
The event provided a public platform for candidates from all over the Clarence catchment, state and federal MPs, Elders, and community leaders, to sign the pledge presented by the CCA, committing them to the common goal of banning mineral mining in the Clarence catchment.
The event was a wonderfully positive morning of solidarity, with the public witnessing those individuals and parties that are fully dedicated to saving our rivers, protecting our water, and caring for our catchment. Neighbouring candidates from Coffs, Lismore, and the Northern Tablelands, as well as Traditional Owners from Yaegl and Sue Higginson, Greens member in the Legislative Council, joined 6 Clarence candidates and signed the pledge.
The following individuals publicly signed the commitment:
Sue Higginson - NSW Greens Member of Legislative Council
Greg Clancy - Greens Party
Brett Duroux - Indigenous Australia Party
Nicki Levi - Independent
Debra Novak - Independent
Mark Rayner - Legalize Cannabis Party
William Walker - CEO Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Dianne Chapman - Manager Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Tihema Elliston - Coffs Harbour - Legalise Cannabis Party
Tim Nott - Coffs Harbour - Greens Party
Vanessa Rosayro – Lismore - Animal Justice Party
Alison Waters - Lismore - Animal Justice Party
Leon Ankersmit, Labor candidate for Clarence was in attendance but did not sign the pledge. He is on record verbally, as supportive of the CCA’s call to ban mining here, but party politics stopped him from committing in writing which was disappointing.
Richie Williamson, Nationals, did not attend the event and did not take up the CCA’s offer to sign the pledge digitally. Although on record verbally as ‘anti-mining in the Clarence,’ Richie’s decision to not sign may be due to his party's support of, and promotion of investment in, mineral mining in regional NSW.
In written correspondence received by the CCA on 16.3.23, the NSW Government, on behalf of the
Hon. Anthony Roberts Nationals MP and Minister for Planning, and the Hon. James Griffin Liberal
MP and Minister for Environment and Heritage stated:
“The NSW Government is aligned with the NSW Minerals Strategy and is therefore not proposing a prohibition of mining activities in the Clarence Valley at this time.”
Individuals that were unable to attend, but signed the pledge digitally are as follows:
David Shoebridge - Senator for NSW Greens
Kevin Hogan - Federal Member for Page Nationals
Cate Faehrmann - NSW Greens member
Janelle Saffin - Member for Lismore Labor
Tamara Smith - Member for Ballina Greens
Troy Cassar Daley - Country Music legend
Aunty Lenore Parker - Yaegl Matriarch
Uncle Ron Herron - Yaegl Elder
Frances Belle Parker - Artist
Surfers for Climate
Surfrider Australia
Revive the Northern Rivers
Clarence Valley - Koala Working Group
Elizabeth O'Hara - Northern Tablelands Candidate Greens
Susie Herder - Tweed Candidate Animal Justice Party
The CCA wishes to thank each of the signatories, and those members of the public that attended last Friday and hope that constituents of this beautiful region use their vote to protect local water and the rivers the community so heavily relies on.
The alliance will be following up again with the NSW government once the election is over and ministerial roles are settled and launching their second petition in the coming months.
If you would like to volunteer with the Clarence Catchment Alliance please email
stopcangaimine@gmail.com.
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| Signing the CCA Pledge on 17 March 2023 IMAGE: supplied |
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