TOs move to block pipeline, page-9

Pipe crossing Aboriginal land is the issue in particular proximity to sacred sites which are everywhere. The clearance for the fibre optic cable from Alice Springs to Darwin took more than a year with substantial payments needed and re routing to avoid some sacred areas. The owners could say that the pipe cannot cross a particular sacred area and demand it go around it and payments made. The clearance process moves very slowly here in the Territory with many legal, political, Aboriginal, environmental and advisor snouts snuffling in the money trough for as long as possible. The changing of the govt also doesn't assist as former CM Giles cut through and got things done, the new CM is an unknown quantity.