Macquarie Marsh graziers Leanne and Garry Hall will fight NSW government approval of a mining company to undertake drilling in the Ramsar listed wetland.

The couple say they are in shock after being informed that the Resources Regulator approved exploration activity for copper and gold by Australian Consolidated Gold Holdings (ACGH) in the Macquarie Marshes.

Macquarie Marshes is one of the largest remaining semi-permanent wetlands in Southern Australia, home to many species of bird and wildlife, and an important water bird breeding site. 

The 48,990-acre reserve is situated 80 km north of Warren and is a protected natural wetland reserve. 

The Hall’s who are fourth generation landholders and caretakers of the area, now have less than a week to turn the decision around to stop drilling in the area.  

“As landholders around the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve, we abide by strict guidelines before doing so much as constructing a fence, and yet a gold miner can start drilling without any proper assessment of the land’s cultural values and biodiversity,” said Mr Hall, referring to the decision by the government regulator to not insist on an environmental impact assessment as part of the approval process.

“This approval from a desktop study is a classic example of apathetic box ticking by a disconnected bureaucrat without any knowledge of the land,” he said.

“This is an area full of life and home to many endangered, threatened and vulnerable species. Brolgas, magpie geese, painted snipe and countless other endangered and vulnerable listed birds, breed and nest right where they want to drill. 

“Most of the sites where they want to drill are currently under water – this makes no sense.” 

Map showing APO area and proposed drill holes (red dots) near the U Block (pink) and Northern Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve (green), both Ramsar Sites. IMAGE SUPPLIED.

Nature conservation council outraged

Environmental advocacy organisation, The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales (NCC), has voiced its outrage and disappointment at the decision particularly at the statement expressed by the mining company that there are no areas of critical habitat or areas of outstanding biodiversity value within the proposed drilling area.

NCC Water Campaigner Mel Gray said she was shocked at the decision and in a state of disbelief.  “It’s obscene to hear that a mining exploration license has been granted in one of the most biologically diverse wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“The Macquarie Marshes is an awe-inspiring patchwork of interconnected miniature habitats, all of them bursting with life.  

“The impact of this drilling would have unforeseeable consequences for the whole wetland system and the myriad of life it supports,” Ms Gray said.

“The area is home to an incredible diversity of native birds and fish, and it is beyond belief that the Regulator would allow mining exploration here.”  

In the mean-time Garry and Leanne Hall are racing against the clock to overturn the decision. 

The Resources Regulator is currently considering their protest. Depending on the response to this consideration, the Hall’s may need to take the fight to court. 

“Unfortunately, everything is up in the air at the moment,” said Mr. Hall. “We are doing everything we can to stop the drilling taking place, but the legal system is complicated and overwhelming for the ordinary person. We should know more in the days to come.” 

A journalist from the Western Plains App contacted the ACGH but they declined the opportunity to comment.