ASHTON Coal’s underground mine subsidence has harmed Aboriginal sites at Camberwell, the New South Wales Land and Environment Court has been told.
Singleton man, and traditional land owner, Robert Lester began a four-day civil enforcement hearing against the company in Sydney yesterday.
He is alleging breaches under the National Parks and Wildlife Act that underground mining harmed Aboriginal objects either without an Aboriginal heritage impact permit or in contravention of a permit.
He is also alleging that Ashton officials failed to ensure neighbouring coalmine officials were made aware of, or complied with, conditions in a permit.
Mr Lester is seeking declarations that Ashton caused harm to Aboriginal objects and several orders relating to remediation and harm mitigation.
These include an order for Ashton to establish a keeping place to house Aboriginal objects removed from the site and that Mr Lester be nominated to care and control the objects.
The proceedings were commenced on Mr Lester’s behalf by the Indigenous Advocacy Justice Network and are being conducted by the Environmental Defenders Office.
Ashton Coal spokesman Brett Lavaring said it was inappropriate to comment on the matter while it was before the court.
