No consent
‘That’s my country and they have no right’
The Barossa gas project has been in development since 2004. But in all that time, the companies behind Barossa have not properly consulted Traditional Owners and Custodians about the project.
Santos’ proposed pipeline will be laid through Tiwi sea country and into Darwin, Larrakia country. It will put the Tiwi Islanders’ pristine sea country at risk and threaten sea life, and cut right through a critical cultural site for the Dangalaba and Larrakia people.
“It doesn’t matter to them if something goes wrong. But that’s my country and they have no right to be making choices and decisions about it like that.”
Marie Munkara, Traditional Owner of Cape Fourcroy, Tiwi Islands
“We are strong people here on the Tiwi Islands and we’ve cared for this sea country for thousands of years. We don’t want to see it destroyed.”
Antonia Burke, Dardawunga Impajimawu, Tiwi Islands resident
“There are many sacred sites around Darwin harbour – both on land and in the water. The most important site for Dangalaba and Larrakia people is the site of Darramarrangamanidj (our creator). She resides at a place on Cox Peninsula, but the gas pipeline through the harbour cuts right through her dreaming track.”
Kevin Lance Quall, Senior Larrakia Traditional Owner
“I’m very worried about this pipeline. If it goes ahead it’s going to have a massive impact on our lifestyle, on the environment… Just the fact that the boats and the ships are going to be travelling up and down – that’s going to have an impact on our waters and our sea life, our food, everything like that.”
Therese Burke, Tiwi Islands resident
“Nobody told any of us that this was happening. We have not been consulted. There are going to be huge risks if this does go ahead without any consultation with the Tiwi people… We want to know why we haven’t been told anything up until now.”
Antonia Burke, Dardawunga Impajimawu, Tiwi Islands resident
Traditional Owners are taking the South Korean government to court over Barossa
On 23 March 2022, Tiwi and Larrakia Traditional Owners and youth activists in South Korea filed an injunction with the South Korean Government to stop them from lending $AU964 million to the Barossa gas project via its export credit agencies, the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE).
In the injunction, the Traditional Owners say they have not given their Free, Prior and Informed consent for a 300km long gas pipeline to be laid through Tiwi sea country and into Darwin, Larrakia country. Tiwi Islanders say that the Barossa gas project will damage their pristine sea country and threaten local marine life, especially turtles, which play a central role in Tiwi culture, ceremonies and the local ecotourism industry. The gas pipeline from the project also runs through a section of sea country that is highly significant to Tiwi people, who believe it is the place that their spirits return to after death.
“By taking the South Korean Government to court to stop this gas project, we are protecting our family and our land. This gas project puts our way of life at risk.”
Daniel Munkara, Senior Tiwi Traditional Owner from the Jikilaruwu clan and Plaintiff,
“The Jikilaruwu clan do not want the Barossa gas pipeline going through our sea country. We are worried that it will destroy our seafood and upset our ancestors. Our secret dreaming stories that only we know are connected to that sea country.”
Francisco Babui, Senior Tiwi Traditional Owner and Plaintiff
“The Barossa project is devastating for us and our future. It will have a big impact, especially for Aboriginal people. This kind of thing has been happening to Dangalaba and Larrakia people for over forty years. Larrakia people do not want more heavy industry in Darwin harbour. The mangrove systems in Darwin harbour are important to our sea life—it’s where we go to do our hunting, fishing and gathering.”
Kevin Lance Quall, Senior Larrakia Traditional Owner and Plaintiff
More reasons to #StopBarossaGas
A climate disaster waiting to happen
Barossa could devastate marine life
Big polluters will profit at the expense of people
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