The Melbourne Age

Plibersek told this masthead on Tuesday: “That’s nonsense. This is a small variation, but the big part of the project is approved.” She said the protected area was 400 out of 2500 hectares, and the company had the opportunity to find a new site.“I totally understand that the company wants the cheapest and easiest option. That is them doing their job for their shareholders. But as environment minister, I have to apply the law.”“Protecting cultural heritage and development are not mutually exclusive; we can have both, but projects have to be well-designed.”Regis wanted to build the tailings dam over the springs that feed the Belubula River, a tributary of the Lachlan. This alarmed environmentalists and local farmers because of the potential to reduce water flows and degrade quality, but Plibersek said the decision was made “solely on the basis of cultural heritage”.NSW Premier Chris Minns said on Monday he was “disappointed” by Plibersek’s decision, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on Tuesday, rejecting Regis’ claim that the project had been derailed.

The directors want to shift the blame.....ask them how it was over the springs that fed the river in the first place?