Advocacy
Our advocacy efforts are centred on amplifying the voices and priorities of our community, driving meaningful change, and fostering equitable outcomes. Through respectful engagement, strategic partnerships, and informed guidance, we work to ensure that policies, initiatives, and decisions reflect and respect the perspectives of our people. Our work is guided by respect, collaboration, and a commitment to creating a more inclusive and just society.
Our projects
The Corporation has been deeply engaged in discussions with the NSW Government concerning the proposed Mole River Dam project. This dialogue is of utmost importance, as the Mole River holds profound cultural and spiritual significance for the Ngarabal people. It has long served as one of our major walking tracks, representing a connection to our ancestors, traditions, and the land itself. The potential impacts of the dam on this sacred area necessitate careful and respectful consideration of our cultural heritage and rights.
The historical gravity of this issue is underscored by recently reported evidence of a massacre that occurred along the Mole River, which has been formally communicated to the NSW Government. This tragic chapter reflects the enduring trauma faced by our community and the need to acknowledge and preserve sites of historical significance. Additionally, the Mole River area encompasses an Aboriginal reserve that was potentially illegally resumed by the NSW Government in 1907. This reserve is the final resting place of Ngarabal ancestor ‘Jacky,’ who passed away in 1904. His burial ground represents a tangible link to our heritage and underscores the need to protect this land and honor its historical significance.
Our engagement with the NSW Government aims to ensure that the cultural, spiritual, and historical values associated with the Mole River are respected and preserved. The implications of the proposed dam project extend beyond environmental considerations, touching on issues of cultural identity, heritage preservation, and justice for past injustices.
For further context, please refer to our detailed Submission into the Rationale for, and Impacts of, New Dams and Other Water Infrastructure in NSW (August 2020) and the Transcript into the Inquiry of the Rationale for, and Impacts of, New Dams and Other Water Infrastructure in NSW. These documents elaborate on the historical, cultural, and social dimensions at stake and advocate for a thoughtful and collaborative approach to any proposed developments.