Thwaites warns Bangerang off Mokoan

Local Bangerang Elder, Sandy Atkinson, has been warned by a staff member of the Minister for Water, John Thwaites that, “It is not in your Bangerang’s interests to support the Broken Valley irrigator’s water saving proposal for Lake Mokoan.”

Mr Atkinson said that he received a telephone call in response to a letter which he had sent to Mr Thwaites in which he pointed out that the adoption of the plan proposed by the Justice for the Broken River Group (ie. the alternative plan) was closely aligned to their criteria for the protection of culturally important sites and artefacts.

Mr Atkinson’s response to the telephone call was to advise the Minister’s staff member that he stood by the content of his letter and that the Bangerang trusted the local landholders and had a good working relationship with them.

Mr Atkinson suggested that the staff member put the warning in writing. This has not occurred.