Global Atlas of Environmental Justice: Environmental Conflicts in Australia

Members of the Martu community embarked on a week-long march to protest against Kintyre uranium mine, walking 110 kms to the site.

The Great Australian Bight Alliance successfully opposed plans by big Norwegian oil company Equinor which would risk this pristine ocean for an oil field.

To make way for iron mining Rio Tinto destroys Juukan George, of significance to aboriginal people. BHP follows suit. Protests against such barbarity make companies apologize (too late) and reconsider decisions.

A successful direct action called Nemesis by the Sea Shepherd movement against illegal so-called scientific whale slaughters in the Antarctic.

The 33km WestConnex highway project currently underway in inner Sydney is the biggest and one of the most controversial urban infrastructure projects in the city since the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

An ongoing dispute over a highway extension in the state of Victoria which would see the cutting down of hundreds of trees culturally significant to the Djap Wurrung people.

In 2019, the proposed Rocky Hill coal mine in NSW was rejected in a landmark court decision in part because of its negative impact on climate change and social impacts on local residents and Aboriginal heritage.

In September 2019, a proposed South Korean-owned coal mine in the Bylong Valley, NSW was rejected by the NSW Independent Planning Commission in part due to its long-term environmental, agricultural and heritage impact on future generations [1].

The site-selection process for Australia’s first centralised nuclear waste facility has been highly divisive. The final two shortlisted sites near Kimba, SA have faced much resistance from the Barngarla people, farmers, environmentalists and other actors.

The injustice of uranium mining in Kakadu National Park is not the only one in Australia against aboriginal communities. By 2019, the Ranger uranium mine is facing enormous rehabilitation costs.

Tjiwarl women alongside other people have fought the Yeelirrie mine for more than ten years. The mine has been approved by Federal Authorities. But they continue with the resistance.

“Stepping on Urulu is considered as an offensive act”. By arguing their traditional relationship with the Uluru rock for many years, the Anangu people officially ban massive tourist climbing on 26 of Oct, 2019.

The environmental injustice of British Nuclear Tests at Maralinga between 1956 and 1963. Several nuclear tests took place with yields ranging from 1 to 27 kilotonnes of TNT. Persistent radioactive pollution.

The Montara Oil Spill in Timor Sea highlighted the controversies of fossil fuel extration and legislative weaknesses in Australia dealing with complex transboundary issues. Indonesian seaweed farmers embark on class action law suit to claim for damages.

Successful advocacy against coal, for a Renewable Energy Target by Yes 2 Renewables, securing jobs and investment in the renewable energy sector and supporting clean energy for current and future generations.

Australian Pesticides Map: “We are concerned Australians worried about pesticide contamination. Isn’t it odd that almost all of the information on this website has not been made easily available to members of the public in the past?” https://pesticides.au

Alcoa coal fired power station closes with the closure of the Alcoa aluminium smelter and Alcoa being unable to find a buyer. Community action demonstrated that the power station was uneconomic and had lost its social licence.

A five-year campaign based on strong community organising successfully stopped the exploration and production of unconventional gas. Quit Coal advocates for renewable energy and decentralisation

Communities, Greens Party, health professionals and local government councillors contest coal production in the Hunter Valley. Activist Wendy Bowman is 2017 Goldman Prize Recipient for Islands and Island Nations

Break Free 2016 blockade of world’s largest coal export port in Newcastle, Australia, stops ships for a day and highlights impacts of global warming, particularly sea level rise on Pacific Island Nations.

After long standing concerns about people’s health and the environment, the coal industry ends in Port Augusta, however justice issues continue as the local community loses jobs and fears for their future.

Australia’s largest coal mine has been approved. It is being contested by environment groups and the Wangan and Jagalingou People for its impacts to cultural heritage, land, water, vulnerable species, climate change and the Great Barrier Reef.

Labour unions across Australia, New Zealand and US join hands to oppose Chevron’s unfair treatment of workers and lack of safety in one of the biggest gas extraction stations in the world

Court case to prevent logging.

Goolengook was the site of Australia’s longest running forest blockade (1997–2002).

The worst disaster in the history of Latrobe Valley led to damage worth more than A$100mn. A fire burnt for 45 days, releasing overwhelming smoke and ash seriously affecting the immediate and long-term health, everyday activities, homes, etc

A severe bushfire was started by faulty electrical equipment (company negligence) leading to a class action — one of two class actions to arise from the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria, Australia.

A community in Sydney mobilising about soil and land contamination by Orica.

National Farmers Federation concerned about large agricultural land purchases. by Hassad Food.

A large campaign about Wittenoom in Western Australia.