Legal Experts Join the Clarence Catchment Alliance to Address Escalating Mineral Mining Exploration Threat in Clarence Region
This July, communities across the Clarence Catchment will have the opportunity to hear directly from legal, scientific, cultural, and environmental experts on the serious risks posed by the rapid expansion of mineral mining exploration in the region.
The Clarence Catchment Alliance (CCA), in partnership with the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), will deliver a four-day Regional Roadshow of free public forums. These events respond directly to the sharp increase in Exploration Licences (ELs) and licence applications — now totalling 44 — across the Clarence Catchment, placing high-rainfall, flood-prone landscapes and vital river systems at risk.
This urgent initiative will travel to Copmanhurst, Grafton, Drake and Dorrigo from Saturday 26 to Tuesday 29 July, delivering region-specific information, live presentations, and community discussions in collaboration with local environmental, community and cultural groups.
These events will offer a safe, caring space for our community to unite, raise concerns, ask questions, and feel supported. We are stronger together, and by learning the facts and our rights, we become empowered to protect what matters most.
“Over the past two years, more landholders have come to us about access letters, licence breaches, and mining companies misusing or blocking access to private land,” said the CCA. “As volunteers, we can’t provide legal advice but this Roadshow, made possible with the EDO and local groups, is something we’ve long hoped to deliver. It’s timely, necessary, and community driven.”
“We are forced to co-exist for the next 21 years under a lease granted without our consent, with no viable resource and no meaningful protection. If I locked them out of my land, I’d face $200,000 in fines — but they can lock me out, and it’s called legal.”
Resident - Tabulam
Each event will feature
• A concise regional overview from the CCA on what’s being targeted, where exploration is occurring, and why the Clarence Catchment is fundamentally unsuitable for mineral mining
• A core legal presentation by the Environmental Defenders Office, covering landholder rights, exploration licence processes, access requirements, and what communities can do to respond
• Mapping of licence areas and affected communities
• Talks from guest speakers across scientific, cultural, environmental and industry perspectives
• Community discussion, Q&A, and opportunities to connect and act locally
This Roadshow is more than a presentation; it is a call to action. It is designed to inform, connect and empower the public to stand up for the protection of Country, rivers, drinking water catchments, species, and livelihoods under threat.
Event Schedule
Saturday 26 July - Copmanhurst Memorial Hall – Grafton Street, Copmanhurst
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Supported by Clarence Valley Council.
Focus: A range of speakers + Exploration Licences in and around Cangai, The Gorge, Carnham and surrounding areas. BBQ provided.
🧾 Register FREE via Humanitix – this helps us plan and follow up with updates.
🎟️ Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/copmanhurst-cca-edo-regional-roadshow
✅ Walk-ins welcome – register at the door!
Sunday 27 July - Grafton District Services Club – 105 Mary Street, Grafton
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Focus: A range of speakers + all 44 exploration licences across the catchment, including antimony, copper, cobalt, silver, gold and bauxite exploration. community Q&A included. This event will be broadcast live via YouTube.
🧾 Register FREE via Humanitix – this helps us plan and follow up with updates.
🎟️ Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/grafton-cca-edo-regional-roadshow
✅ Walk-ins welcome – register at the door!
Monday 28 July - Drake Community Hall – Alison Street, Drake
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Focus: A range of speakers + Exploration Licences and Mining Leases in and around Drake, Ewingar, Tabulam and surrounding areas. Light refreshments and community Q&A included.
🧾 Register FREE via Humanitix – this helps us plan and follow up with updates.
🎟️ Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/drake-cca-edo-regional-roadshow
✅ Walk-ins welcome – register at the door!
Tuesday 29 July - Dorrigo Showground Pavilion – Waterfall Way, Dorrigo
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Focus: A range of speakers + Exploration Licences in and Dorrigo Plateau, Wild Cattle Creek and key drinking water catchments. Afternoon tea and community workshop included.
🧾 Register FREE via Humanitix – this helps us plan and follow up with updates.
🎟️ Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/dorrigo-cca-edo-regional-roadshow
✅ Walk-ins welcome – register at the door!
Who Should Attend
All residents of the Clarence Catchment are encouraged to attend whether inland or coastal, upriver or downriver. From Coffs Harbour to Carnham, Casino to the coast, if your community lies within the Clarence Catchment boundary, this matters to you.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Across the 4 events speakers will vary. Grafton is on the 27th so please see the list below for those in attendance.
Belinda Rayment - 26th-29th
Environmental Defenders Office
Will discuss landholder rights, exploration licence processes, access requirements, and how projects impacting threatened species may be referred under national environmental law.
Shae Fleming - 26th-29th
Clarence Catchment Alliance
Will deliver a region-wide overview of ELs and exploration activity, campaign progress, and what’s next for community action to protect the Clarence Catchment.
Dr. Stuart Rowland - 26th & 27th
Eastern Freshwater Cod Specialist
Will speak about the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod and the irreversible harm mining could cause to this iconic river species.
Geoff Jones - 26th & 27th
NSW Farmers Association - Grafton branch
Will speak about the threat mining poses to prime agricultural land, clean water, and the long-term viability of farming in the Clarence Catchment.
Prof Scott Johnston - 27th & 29th
Env. Hydrogeochemist, SCU
Will present research on Antimony and Arsenic contamination in the Macleay River, exploring the long-term legacy of mining pollution and its implications for the Clarence Catchment.
Janet Cavanagh - 27th & 28th
Clarence Environment Centre
Will highlight the Clarence region’s rich biodiversity and the threatened species and ecosystems most at risk from mineral mining.
Stephen Ross - 27th & 28th
Landowner, Eco Tourism Operator
Will share his lived experience as the only resident of the catchment currently under an active mining lease, (ML) exposing the regulatory imbalance faced by private landholders.
David Copperthwaite 26th
River Tourism Wild River Tours
Will speak about the vital importance of protecting River systems for sustainable tourism, which supports local livelihoods.
Uncle Allan Phillips - 29th
Gumbaynggirr Elder
Will provide Welcome to Country at the Dorrigo event and speak on mining on Country.
More speakers will be announced and invited up to yarn on the day.
The Copmanhurst event is proudly supported by Clarence Valley Council, Holiday Coast Meats & Bakarindi Bush Foods.
Food and Drinks available for purchase from the club at the Grafton event.
Light refreshments available at the Drake & Dorrigo events - BYO Mug.