Shutting down coal! Australia Climate Camp
October 11th, 2009
Australia Climate Camp
Climate Camp Day of Action Begins – Press Release
50 people peacefully blockade Peabody’s Metropolitan Colliery
Climate Camp shuts down Dendrobium coal mine – Sunday AM
Press Release October 11, 7am 2009
7.05am. Currently, four people from Climate Camp 2009 have scaled
and locked themselves onto the coal conveyor belt at the Dendrobium
coal mine near Helensburgh, NSW.
Spokesperson for the group Aimee Bull-McMahon said “We have shut
down the conveyor from this underground polluter as part of the Climate
Camp 09 three days of action. The Dendrobium coal mine, owned by
Illawarra Coal, has been disastrous for the surrounding water ways that
the local community relies on for drinking water.â€
“The EPA has found that the mines underground coal activities have
had massive negative impact on the Wongawilly Creek and numerous
surrounding swamps that have been drained from the operations of this
mine.â€
“By taking peaceful direct action at this heavy polluter, and destroyer
of water ways, we are making it clear to our state and federal
government that the community wants a transition away from coal towards
a future of water security and renewable energy, “concluded Ms
Bull-McMahon.
Climate Camp concludes today with a mass peaceful direct action in
beginning at the Rex Jackson Park in Helensburgh at 11am to the site of
the Metropolitan Collieries.
Climate Camp Spokesperson – Jess Miller
0409 490 711
Images available shortly – Damian Baker
0428367362
Activists chained to coal mine conveyor belt
Activists arrested at NSW coal mine
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More than 50 people peacefully blockade Peabody’s
Metropolitan Colliery in Helensburgh.
3 people crossed police lines and arrested.
Sunday, October 11, Helensburgh NSW – More than 500 people have
marched to the front gates of the Metropolitan Collieries where 50
Climate Camp protesters have peacefully blockaded the entrance to the
mine. Protesting the mines expansion and voice concerns over water,
climate and jobs in NSW.
3 people have crossed police lines and so far and have been arrested.
Concerned locals showed-up in Helensburgh in droves despite reports
that intimidation tactics being used in the lead-up and throughout the
camp.
“My family came to Helensburgh 100 years ago, there are
4 generations of coal miners in my family buried in the local cemetery.
My grandfathers went to war to fight for what they believe in, I
continue that legacy and believe that we need to stop mining coal and
fight to stop climate change. That’s why I’m hereâ€, says Matt from
Stanwell Tops.
“While Peabody and the Government are playing the
‘jobs’ card, it is little more than a feeble attempt at a political
wedge – the reality is that the expansion of polluting industries is
being done recklessly and community members will not tolerate itâ€, says
Climate Camp Spokesperson Jess Miller.
As reported in the The Age on Friday, Peabody spokesperson Jennifer
Morgans told AAP that “It [the mine expansion] would also create an
estimated 350 new jobs, doubling the current workforce to 700, while
providing about 1000 indirect jobs throughout the Illawarra region, Ms Morgans said.â€
However according to Peabody’s own website it is stated that “[the]
operational
workforce is expected to remain stable at 320 people†and that
“additional short-term construction workforce of up to 50 peopleâ€.
Community
Group, Rivers SOS are mounting a legal challenge in the Land and
Environment court again Planning Minister Kristina Keneally to
challenge the legality of the mining approval process
END
Tags: action, Australia, civil disobedience, climate, climate camp, climate justice, coal, COP15, direct action, media, power plant, protest, water