For the past nine years, Gomeroi man Raymond Weatherall has worked to put a stop to gas giant Santos' $3.6 billion dollar project in northern New South Wales.
So on Thursday, the news that a Federal Court had upheld an appeal to halt works was met with strong emotion.
"To say that I was excited is an understatement. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness [and] pride," Mr Weatherall told NITV.
Mr Weatherall said the fight to stop Santos has been a collective effort.
"Whether their contribution might have been small or large, every contribution that resisted and defended Gomeroi country was worthwhile," he said.
"It is a feeling of gratitude and I thank my ancestors for the strength that they passed down through our bloodlines so we could defend our Country."
Gomeroi man Raymond Weatherall. Source: supplied.
Greenhouse gases, climate change not adequately considered
The Federal Court found that the tribunal that awarded energy company Santos mining leases for the Narrabri gas project failed to consider the public interest in the project's environmental impact.
"There are a number of passages in the tribunal's reasons which indicate that it did indeed consider it was no part of its function ... to evaluate for itself the environmental impact of a project such as the Narrabri gas project," Federal Court of Australia chief justice Debra Mortimer said in a decision allowing the appeal on Wednesday.
After discussions fell through with Gomeroi Traditional Owners, Santos was given the go-ahead to proceed with the project in December 2022 after approaching the National Native Title Tribunal.
The court ruled that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Narrabri project were not adequately assessed in light of the Gomeroi Native Title claim, and that the negative impact of the project on climate change would fundamentally disrupt the rights of the Gomeroi people.
The applicants also asserted Santos had not negotiated in good faith, however this was rejected by the Federal Court.
"The tribunal's decision and reasoning on public interest is affected by the errors alleged," Chief Justice Mortimer said.
Winning the right to appeal means the parties now have until March 13 to file proposed orders with the court.
'For our children, and their children'
Mr Weatherall said the most gratifying moment was when he shared the news with his 7-year-old daughter.
"When we lost a couple of years ago she cried and I said 'It doesn't matter because we wont give up, we will keep fighting.'
"[When I told her yesterday] it was amazing to hear her have screams of joy because that's why we do it - for our children, and their children, and their children to come."
In a statement NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for the Environment and Climate Change Sue Higginson has described it as a "groundbreaking win".
"This is a huge victory for the environment, a massive win for the planet and a beacon of hope for future appeals,” Ms Higginson said.
“What we have seen today is that it is possible to take on these giants and win. It is appalling that First Nations communities are carrying the burden of taking on these mining giants.
"It is now up to the NSW government and Santos to walk away from this disastrous project.”
Santos has been contacted for comment.
