Indigenous Community Battles to Save Sacred Springs from Coal Expansion

In the remote expanses of Queensland, Australia, an Indigenous Wirdi community is leading a determined campaign to protect the Doongmabulla Springs, a network of ancient, culturally sacred springs now threatened by a massive coal mining project. These springs, nestled within a desert landscape, hold profound spiritual significance for the Wirdi people, who see them not only as an essential water source but as living ancestors connected to their ancestral Dreaming stories.

The conflict centers around the Carmichael coal mine, owned by Adani, an Indian multinational conglomerate. Approved in 2019, the mine has long been controversial for its environmental impact and potential to accelerate climate change. Yet, for the Wirdi community, the deepest fear is that the project could irreversibly damage or even destroy the delicate groundwater system that sustains the Doongmabulla Springs. Scientists have warned that mining activities risk lowering the water table, which could cause these rare and ecologically important springs to dry up permanently.

Elder Adrian Burragubba, a prominent voice in the movement, describes the springs as an inseparable part of his people’s spiritual identity and law. “If the springs die,” he says, “our culture dies too.” This view underscores how, for Indigenous custodians, environmental protection is not separate from cultural survival—it is fundamentally intertwined.

Despite facing setbacks in court, the community continues to challenge the mine’s expansion through legal avenues and public advocacy. They argue that both the Queensland and Australian federal governments failed to give sufficient weight to the springs’ cultural and ecological value when approving the project. Meanwhile, Adani maintains it has complied with regulations and environmental protections, though critics say these measures are inadequate for such a fragile ecosystem.

The dispute reflects a broader struggle unfolding across Australia and worldwide: balancing resource development with Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. For the Wirdi people, the fight is about more than water—it’s about the survival of living cultural heritage passed down for thousands of years. As legal and public battles continue, the fate of the Doongmabulla Springs hangs in the balance, representing what is at stake when sacred land meets industrial ambition.