Narrabri gas appeal adjourned as Traditional Owners set to rally in Magandjin/Brisbane

Joseph Guenzler
Joseph Guenzler Published November 24, 2025 at 4.05pm (AWST)

Gomeroi Traditional Owners and supporters will rally in Magandjin (Brisbane) on Tuesday to oppose the Narrabri Gas Project.

Protesters will march from the Santos office on Turbot Street to the Federal Court building on North Quay.

The demonstration was originally scheduled to coincide with a Federal Court appeal hearing regarding the development.

Proceedings have been adjourned until March next year following a change to the full bench after Justice Natalie Charlesworth recused herself from the matter on 20 November.

Her Honour stepped down after disclosing that a staff member had previously been employed by Santos. The staff member had performed legal work related to the Narrabri project before joining the Court.

The dispute centres on a proposal to drill 850 coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga Forest.

Traditional Owners state the forest is a sacred site and a crucial recharge zone for the Great Artesian Basin.

Gomeroi Traditional Owner Raymond Weatherall said governments have consistently disregarded Indigenous culture.

"Could you imagine those 850 gas wells going all at once with flames there? You won't even see the night sky anymore," he said.

Sally Hunter from Lock The Gate Alliance previously stated the risk to water sources was unacceptable. Ms Hunter said the project would impact the Great Artesian Basin.

Santos also intends to construct the Hunter Gas Pipeline and the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline to transport the gas.

The New South Wales government released an Environmental Impact Statement for the Narrabri Lateral Pipeline for public consultation last Thursday.

Gomeroi Traditional Owners previously launched the Federal Court appeal to challenge a decision by the National Native Title Tribunal.

The Tribunal ruled that four petroleum production leases could be granted to Santos.

National Indigenous Times has contacted the company for comment.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns previously declared the project must proceed to secure energy supplies.

The rally will commence at 12 noon, Tuesday, at 32 Turbot Street.

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National Indigenous Times

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