Front Line
All coal output and worker access to Whitehaven’s Tarrawonga Mine this morning has been stopped as a protestor sits in a tree platform attached to the main gate and twenty other people have gathered in support.
Front Line Action on Coal is backing the “Call to Country” campaign, calling for a federal moratorium on new coal and coal-seam gas projects and a Royal Commission into state government coal mine approval processes.
“State and federal governments are rushing coal projects through before finding out the impact on our water, our health and our climate,” said spokesperson Jonathan Moylan.
“Will the federal approval process for Tarrawonga’s expansion be just as shambolic as the other two mines which are ripping up our forest and our farming communities?” Mr. Moylan said.
“If governments continue to put coal companies ahead of the long-term prosperity of the community, more protests are inevitable.”
A national alliance of coal and gas affected communities, Lock the Gate, launched the “Call to Country” website and campaign demanding federal intervention into coal and gas approval processes last week.