Members of the Coonabarabran community are gathering to make their voices heard beyond the Blue Mountains, in response to a National Native Title Tribunal decision that gave more green lights to Santos' Narrabri Gas Project. 

Local residents say they will be stamping their feet and raising their voices in a gathering to be held at their Number One oval this Saturday 14 January.

Gomeroi woman Suellyn Tighe said that after a ‘disgraceful’ decision, she is excited to see the community take a stand, taking just a two minute phone call around the decision to plan their next move.

“I was very surprised when it was suggested that we hold a gathering in Coonabarabran, because they've never really done anything political, in my lifetime at least,” Ms Tighe said. 

“The decision is so disgraceful that we need to vocalise our disappointment and hurt,” she said. 

Ms Tighe said that she is hopeful that the gathering could be the spark that they need to see more grassroots voices, where rural and Indigenous people can find common ground in what they face together. 

“We’ve got people from a lot of different walks of life in different roles in the community who’ve come together on this point,” she said. 

“What I’m hoping is that this will really encourage ordinary people who go about their daily lives to speak up on these matters, especially climate change….that’s not going to recognise if your rich or poor, it doesn’t distinguish class.”

A key point of the gathering will be calling on federal politicians to come beyond the Blue Mountains and witness the issues locals are facing. 

“They don’t put enough value in our vote,” Ms Tighe said. 

The National Native Title Tribunal determination that prompted the action followed a decade-long battle, revealing in December 2022 that the project could go ahead with some cultural and heritage provisions. 

Handed down not long after the Federal government rejected the premise of holding a referendum to incorporate an Indigenous Voice to Parliament - a body which would advise parliament on Indigenous policy matters - the rejection has hit home.

“Why do we need to have a referendum to have our voices heard in Parliament? They should be heard as citizens of Australia because we are citizens now,” Ms Tighe said. 

“Gomeroi people have used their voice, and they have said no.”

Since the Tribunal's determination, the Gomeroi people are seeking advice on whether they are able to appeal, which will need to be lodged by 16 January.

The gathering in Coonabarabran will begin at 5pm on Saturday 14 January where community members can bring their own supplies to make posters and signs before taking action.