Friday 11 September 2026
Country, not concrete: Palawa people stand on Country at Pupiyala/Boobyalla Beach to oppose proposed sand mine.
Members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community have gathered on Country at Pupiyala / Boobyalla Beach in north-east Lutruwita / Tasmania to make clear their opposition to a proposed sand mine.
North Scottsdale Resources has been granted a mining exploration licence covering sand dunes behind the beach. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre says any proposal to mine the area would threaten Aboriginal heritage, Country and the surrounding coastal environment.
“This sand mine is a desecration of our cultural landscape,” said Andry Sculthorpe, Country and Culture Manager, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
‘The sandy coastlines of the North East are areas where our ancestors lived their lives and buried their dead. They hold layers of history that must not be destroyed. A mine of this scale permanently destroys this Country and the heritage it holds. Those connections are fundamental to who we are, and we will not allow them to be destroyed.
The TAC understands the proposal could also involve the construction of a large conveyor system and jetty across the beach to transport sand to waiting bulk carriers.
“The mine itself would be destructive. Building industrial infrastructure across the beach to export the sand would compound that damage,” Mr Sculthorpe said.
“We understand the sand may be intended for export to Singapore, the world’s largest importer of sand. Communities and governments across the region have raised serious concerns about the environmental impacts of sand extraction, including damage to islands, coastlines and marine ecosystems.
“Lutruwita / Tasmania should not be volunteering its beaches and Aboriginal heritage to feed a questionable international demand for sand.”
The Tasmanian Aboriginal community will continue to oppose any attempt to mine and industrialise Pupiyala / Boobyalla Beach.
“This place is not an empty resource waiting to be dug up and shipped away. It is living Country,” said Mr Sculthorpe.
“We will stand together to protect Pupiyala / Boobyalla Beach. We believe people across north-east Tasmania will stand with us when they understand what is being proposed and what is at risk.”
The TAC understands that the mining proposal is separate from Gresham House’s purchase of Rushy Lagoon farm, although the exploration licence area overlaps part of the farm boundary.
