Front Line
From our Leard Forest Alliance partners – Maules Creek Community Council
Media Release 10.36AM 10 June 2014
http://www.maulescreek.org/legal-action-launched-to-stop-clearing-in-leard-forest/
The Maules Creek Community Council is applying for an urgent injunction to stop operational clearing in the Leard Forest at a hearing in the NSW Land and Environment Court underway now.
The MCCC are arguing that work should stop at least while current court proceedings against Whitehaven Coal, relating to winter clearing in the forest, are underway.
Late on Friday the MCCC, represented by law experts EDO NSW, launched legal action to stop clearing of the Leard Forest for the Maules Creek Coal Mine near Narrabri in north-west NSW.
The civil enforcement proceedings argue that Whitehaven is in breach of its development consent by clearing the forest during the winter months when animals, including threatened species, are hibernating.
Spokesman for the MCCC Phil Laird said, “We believe that the clearing of Leard Forest during the winter months is unlawful and while that legal argument is heard in court, work at the site needs to cease.
“We are seeking an urgent injunction to stop the bulldozers from flattening anymore of this unique and fragile ecosystem.”
Arguments are currently underway at the NSW Land and Environment Court, at Court 10B, Level 4, 225 Macquarie St, Sydney
Further comment: Phil Laird 0428 712 622
EDO contact Jon Walter 0404 647 842
Lock the Gate’s Carmel Flint is at the court this morning 0400 521 474
Frontline Action on Coal UPDATE 11am: The #LeardBlockade is refused entry into the State Conservation Area of Leard Forest by Police. The SCA is supposed to still be open to the public.
UPDATE 11:30am: The injunction hearing is set for 3:30pm this afternoon.
Update: 3:30pm hearing scheduled for injunction application to stop winter clearing in Leard Forest
The NSW Land and Environment Court has granted a hearing for an urgent injunction to stop operational clearing in the Leard Forest at a hearing in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
The injunction application will be heard this afternoon at 3:30pm at the NSW Land and Environment Court at Court 10B, Level 4, 225 Macquarie St, Sydney.
The Maules Creek Community Council (MCCC) are arguing that work should stop at least while current court proceedings against Whitehaven Coal, relating to winter clearing in the forest, are underway.
Late on Friday the MCCC, represented by law experts EDO NSW, launched legal action to stop clearing of the Leard Forest for the Maules Creek Coal Mine near Narrabri in north-west NSW.
The civil enforcement proceedings argue that Whitehaven is in breach of its development consent by clearing the forest during the winter months when animals, including threatened species, are hibernating.
Spokesman for the MCCC Phil Laird said, “We believe that the clearing of Leard Forest during the winter months is unlawful and while that legal argument is heard in court, work at the site needs to cease.
“We are seeking an urgent injunction to stop the bulldozers from flattening anymore of this unique and fragile ecosystem.”