Tibooburra gold prospecting on hold for now

Inset – Granites Motel owner John Jackson hopes prospecting will resume next year. Photo:s: contributed

Story by Tricia Duffield and Nathan Filmer

A complex web of incomplete paperwork and Native Title rules must be untangled to allow prospecting at Tibooburra – Australia’s hottest, driest and most isolated town.

The conflict over gold fossicking on land with Native Title looked set to derail prospecting tourism for the foreseeable future – a scenario that would be a heavy blow to the local economy.

However, lobbying by Member for Barwon Roy Butler might just save the day.

The Tibooburra Common Trust held a general election to fill executive positions on Saturday 18 July, which means talks can now be held with the local Wangkumara people, which will hopefully lead to an outcome that benefits both indigenous and non-indigenous residents and visitors. […]

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