After winning a court challenge against Santos, Gomeroi people are hoping the gas company leaves the Pilliga forest and never comes back.
A majority Federal Court decision ruled that the National Native Title Tribunal erred when it granted Santos four petroleum production licences for coal seam gas mining for its Narrabri project, because it failed to take climate change into account.
Native title groups do not have the right to veto mining on their land.
They do have the right to negotiate deals with mining companies, in good faith, but if they fail to reach agreement, then either party can apply to the National Native Title Tribunal for a ruling.
After years of talks the Gomeroi voted overwhelmingly to reject Santos' proposal, so the company applied to the tribunal, which granted four petroleum production licences in December 2022.
Gomeroi man Raymond Weatherall told AAP that when he heard the Federal Court had ruled in their favour, he was elated, as was his seven-year-old daughter, Lily.
"When I told Lily that we'd lost in the tribunal, I was crying and she said to me 'don't worry, we will never give up'," he said.
On Wednesday afternoon when Mr Weatherall heard the news that they'd won, he rang his wife, who was with Lily at netball training.
"And I told her and she just screamed through the phone 'yes, we beat Santos!'," he said.
"So that's why we do it - we fought for our children so that their children's children's children can come and experience Gomeroi earth in the same way that we do.
"It was overwhelming and I'm so thankful that I come from a line of ancestors who love their country and instilled that within me."
The Gomeroi built an army of allies to protest against coal seam gas mining on their country in northern NSW under the banner "Gamil means no".
"Climate change is happening and more extreme weather conditions will happen if we don't address it," Mr Weatherall said.
"Hopefully, gamil means no will be that catch cry that everybody wants to use in the future.
"Now, we just want them to leave and never come back.
"We don't need gas in this country."
Gomeroi woman Suellyn Tighe said the case was an opportunity for governments to revisit fossil fuel extraction and the effects on climate change.
"And begin to look at native title and change what needs to be changed," she said.
"And also looking at the environment, valuing it more than just for the treasure chest or the dollar sign.
"I think there's all of that wrapped up in that one decision - it's like the very best Christmas present you could have ever gotten and it's all wrapped up with a pretty bow."
Ms Tighe said Gomeroi people had cultural responsibility to look after country and thanked all those who had stood up and fought.
"There's also the human responsibility that we've got this one world and we should be taking better care of it than we are," she said.
"It takes many people to do this and it takes effort, it takes stamina and it takes commitment and I think the Gomeroi people here have displayed all of those."
Santos said in a statement the company would continue to work through land access, native title, pipeline licensing and remaining environmental approvals processes to get Narrabri and the Hunter Gas Pipeline ready for a final investment decision.
"Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of cultural heritage protection and management," the company said.
The parties have until March 13 to file proposed orders with the court, or March 20 for submissions on appropriate orders if they cannot agree.
