The National Native Title Tribune has handed down a decision about the future of the Narrabri Santos gas project that has come as a blow to local Gomeroi people, who placed their hopes in a climate change argument to stop the project in its tracks. 

The determination follows an almost decade-long battle in the National Native Title Tribune, beginning in 2011, with this week’s decision offering the latest conditional green light to Santos to build the multi-billion-dollar project. 

Under the determination, the proposed acts by Santos may be done under the condition that the company take all necessary steps to ensure that the Narrabri Gas Project Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan is implemented and completed prior to the commencement of the project’s next phase.



The Tribunal found that “the interests of the State cannot be overlooked. It has a clear interest in exploiting mineral deposits, for the benefit of the State and its citizens, including Aboriginal citizens”.

Coonabarabran-based Gomeroi woman Suellyn Tighe has been involved in stopping the gas project for over a decade, and before Santos, she was a part of a similar campaign against Whitehaven Coal.

“It’s extremely gut wrenching. I have to say though, the track record of the National Native Title Tribune is not good,” Ms Tighe said. 

While she is still hopeful for an appeal of the decision, Ms Tighe said that the timing of the decision was strategic. 

“I’m under no illusions that the timing of this decision is extremely strategic and extremely political. It was made on the 19th of December, which is coming to the end of the Parliamentary sitting period…myself and others will not be able to access our legal representatives,” Ms Tighe said. 

While the fight will continue, firstly by an appeal, Ms Tighe said that the continuous blows to Gomeroi people over the project have left them ‘on their knees’.

“This is a David and Goliath situation. You’ve got an infinitely under-resourced Nation fighting against a multinational fossil fuel company with infinite funds, and a state and federal government that have all the legal resources and the ability to change legislation to suit an agenda.”

In a statement, Santos indicated that they will work to implement those conditions. 

“Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development in a range of ways, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of their cultural heritage protection and management,” the statement read. 

The Narrabri Gas Project includes a coal seam gas field that will cover 95,000 hectares, with 1,000 hectares to be used for the operations.