By CARMEN McINTOSH
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HUNDREDS gathered in Moruya on Sunday to send Unity Mining a clear message: the community will not accept the risk associated with its proposed changes to the Dargues gold mine.
The company has applied for a variation to its development consent to allow final processing of gold with cyanide at the Majors Creek mine, which sits at the headwaters of the Eurobodalla’s water supply.
Sunday’s protest (pictured) began with a flotilla of about 30 kayakers, boaters and stand-up paddleboarders, who made their way down Moruya River from Col Chesher Park to the Moruya boat ramp.
Meanwhile a large crowd gathered on Moruya Bridge, brandishing banners and chanting as the watercraft floated beneath.
Both groups met at Riverside Park to hear a range of speakers, including representatives from the Majors Creek Catchment Guardians, the Araluen Valley Producers and Protectors of the Ecosystems Coalition (AVPPEC), Deua River Care and the Nature Coast Marine Group.
Speakers were largely concerned about risks to the catchment, the environment, and farming livelihoods.
There was also concern about how waste from the mine would be permanently stored on site, Unity Mining’s history of environmental breaches at Dargues, and that the modification would be “sneaked through”, rather than being considered as a new development application.
Kristy Moyle, of Majors Creek Catchment Guardians, gave the stirring first speech of the day.
She said it “hurt deeply” when the community learned the company wanted to renegotiate previous commitments.
“To Unity Mining, Majors Creek Guardians say this: the soils, air and water on which we all depend are not simply barriers to big business,” she said.
“They’re not negotiable, based on the value of one precious metal.
“None of us eat, drink or breathe gold.
“We as the collective and united community of this catchment will not rest until our homes, our soils, our air, our water and our children are safe again.”
AVPPEC spokeswoman Penny Hayman said the Araluen Valley boasted vibrant orchard, farming and tourism industries.
“This proposal involves high risks in the areas of human and environmental health and also threatens the economic viability of current businesses and individuals,” she said.
“No matter how safe the processing might be, it comes with an element of risk – no processing, no associated risk.”
Protest co-organiser Sheila Monahan said the rally was just the beginning.
“It was really good to meet everybody from the whole catchment and to solidify that we do have this concern,” she said.
“It’s going to affect different parts in different ways, but altogether it is a huge threat.
“The message is loud and clear: we are not going to accept this, certainly not the way it stands at the moment; it’s too big a threat.
“I think it’s cemented everyone’s determination to keep going.”