Front Line
Community Health Concerns as Protesters Target Whitehaven Coal
Today two women have locked themselves to barrels filled with concrete blocking access to Whitehaven Coal’s Tarrawonga Mine supported by a group of 20 protesters. Mildi Palmer, 33, and Lindy Boyko, 54, are both concerned about the health of the community as a result of increased coal mining in the Leard Forest area.
Ms Palmer, an environmental health officer and mother was inspired to take action when she heard a Maules Creek local “speak of the devastating effects on the community.”
“I want to know I did my part to leave a better future for my daughter and the future generations of this area.”
Ms Boyko, a paramedic and grandmother, said that she is also concerned about community health and “want my grandchildren to have a future.”
Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson, Phil Evans said, “With over 18,000 tonnes of coal dust about to be blown out across the community, you have to worry about the impact that will have on local health. At every stage, coal harms health, whether you are digging it out of the ground, transporting it, or burning it as fuel, the effects are far reaching and devastating to young and old in our communities.”
The protesters also called for an immediate stop to Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine, citing concerns about corruption in the planning approvals that allowed the project to proceed.
Mr Evans added, “Coal mining in Maules Creek places profit before health, was approved in a cloud of corruption, and is destroying the very fabric of this once quiet community. We can’t let these questionable government decisions continue. We need a royal commission into the planning processes that allowed the NSW government to approve dodgy mines like Whitehaven’s.”
Two months ago a group of 5 doctors were arrested near Maules Creek citing similar concerns about the health impacts of coal mining in the area.
UPDATE 8:10am: Police Rescue, stationed in the area at taxpayer’s expense to protect Whitehaven Coal assets, have arrived on site. More to come.
UPDATE 9:45am: Police Rescue are still working on trying to cut off the lock on devices that are holding up coal trucks to Whitehaven Coal’s Tarrawonga mine.
UPDATE 10am: Police Rescue have freed Lindy’s arm from one of the barrels. She is still attached to Mildi by a concrete elbow lock, and Mildi’s other arm is still in a barrel. Those trucks aren’t going anywhere fast!
UPDATE 11am: Mildi and Lindy have been arrested and are being taken into custody. More details to follow.
Further Information:
Phil Evans
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0490 064 139
Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade
Leard Forest Alliance ‘No Action Day’ in Support of Gomeroi
The Leard Forest Alliance has made a commitment not to undertake any protests to show support for the Gomeroi’s visit tomorrow to sacred sites desecrated by Idemitsu Resources’ Boggabri mine.
Tomorrow 90 elders, and traditional owners will visit sacred scar trees to conduct ceremony in the mining tenement of Idemitsu Resources’ Boggabri facility. The Boggabri mine is set to expand destroying more of the Leard State Forest.
Similar approaches by the Gomeroi to Whitehaven Coal, constructing the Maules Creek mine in the Leard State Forest, have been consistently knocked back.
“We are pleased that the Gomeroi have access to some of their sacred sites within the Boggabri coal mining area, and in good faith, make a commitment not to launch any actions on the day of the visit.” Phil Evans, Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson said.
The Leard Forest Alliance signed a Protection Treaty with the Gomeroi on the 13th February this year.
Further Information:
Phil Evans
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0409 064 139
Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade
PROTESTS CONTINUE AT MAULES CREEK MINE SITE
Whitehaven Coal’s controversial Maules Creek mine has again been targeted by 20 protesters this morning. Two of the protesters, Rachel Mundy, 23, and Matthew Winter, 21, have chained themselves to a barrel filled with concrete which is obstructing access to the site. They are calling for work to cease on the mine until there is a Royal Commission into NSW planning approvals and mining following months of controversy.
The protesters are particularly concerned about the impact of the mine on water resources in the area. The Maules Creek coal mine has been allocated fifty percent of the high security water from the Namoi River, despite this being one of the main water sources for farmland in the area.
Spokesperson for the Leard Forest Alliance, Murray Drechsler, said “The current ICAC investigations have shown that this mine only came to be, and continues to progress, through questionable means and back-door dealings. That a coal mine could get fifty percent of the high security water allocations in one of Australia’s most important food producing regions is incredibly concerning.”
Earlier this week, the Lock the Gate Alliance released a report highlighting the damaging effect of the coal industry on water resources in the Hunter Valley.
Matthew Winter, one of the chained protesters said “coming from the Hunter Valley, I have seen first hand the damaging effects of the coal industry. Our water aquifers are currently being depleted; our land and farms will suffer as a direct result from these coal mines. I refuse to sit and watch the Liverpool Plains become the next Hunter Valley. I am taking immediate direct action to get results.”
The alluvial aquifers in the Maules Creek and surrounding area may drop up to 2m as a result of the mine.
UPDATE 8am: Police Search and Rescue arrived on scene
UPDATE 1pm: After stopping work for over 5 hours, both Rachel and Matthew have been removed from the barrel and placed under arrest.
Whitehaven Coal continue work in the forest clearing
On June 12 Whitehaven Coal agreed to stop their winter clearing of the Leard State Forest in the face of a legal injunction request from the Maules Creek Community Council. Their clearing, commenced after making questionable changes to their Biodiversity Management Plan, and was controversial because so many species of the Leard go into a torpor – a hibernation like state – inside the hollows of the trees. Whitehaven Coal claimed that they used a ‘gentle bulldozing’ technique to fell the habitat trees – shaking them to wake up any animals inside, then bulldozing them a few days later.
When they stopp
ed clearing, many of these habitat trees – ominously marked with a large red ‘H’ were left standing throughout the cleared forest… and now we have seen what has happened to the habitat tree.
In what can only be described as a continued assault on the forest, Whitehaven Coal have begun levelling out the soil of the forest to prepare for open cut mining.
Unallowed to clear the trees anymore, they have left them on islands, stark reminders of the forest that was once there.
The trees, are still left standing on mounds of dirt of 2m high in an area cleared and leveled. Where once the forest stood is now a eerie, desolate landscape, more comparable to a desert. Work continues through the night to remove crush and remove the trees that were felled during the last period of clearing.
This work and construction of a rail line and bridge, and also the construction of the coal handling and processing plant continue. We need to stop and delay this work as further challenges via political and legal avenues to the mine continue.
Whilst we have been very sucessful in stopping and delaying work – check out our news stream to see what we have been up to – we need your help to continue to do this. Consider coming up to the #LeardBlockade or check out these things you can do at home to support the campaign.
BREAKFAST PROTEST ON THE ROADSIDE AT MAULES CREEK
A group of 20 Leard Blockade protestors have held a breakfast protest on the side of the road into Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine project. One protestor, Christine Charles, 20, has locked herself onto a truck carrying a massive crane into the mine and holding up other trucks attempting to deliver parts into the mine construction site.
Police have arrived on the scene of the protest, but have also investigated possible traffic infringements involving the trucks carrying the equipment. One protestor described the tyres of one of the trucks as “bald” and saw a police officer investigate further.
The protest comes as Whitehaven Coal step up their efforts to continue construction of the scandal plagued project.
Phil Evans, Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson said, “We will not stand by and watch the Maules Creek community be torn apart by coal mining. Increased cost of living, new water challenges for drought affected farming areas and the social problems that a whole army of fly in, fly out workers will bring, are not Whitehaven’s false promise of increased prosperity to the area.”
This week has seen an increase in protest activity with 7 people already arrested stopping work at the proposed mine site.
Mr Evans added, “People have come from around Australia to stand up for farms, the Leard forest, the local community, the Gomeroi culture and the climate against this dodgy project with questions about corruption still plaguing it. We need a Royal Commission in NSW to review planning approvals to clear the air on mining corruption, and until that happens, Whitehaven Coal must stop work.”
The Leard Blockade camp was established almost 2 years ago.
UPDATE 10am: Police Rescue have cut Christine off the truck and taken her into custody.
UPDATE: Christine has been released from police custody and charged with not obey direction of police/authorised person and pedestrian obstruct driver’s/other perdestrian’s path.
Further Information:
Phil Evans
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0490 064 139
Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade
#LEARDBLOCKADE STANDS WITH JONO
As Jonathan Moylan faced sentencing today… the camp decided to visually show how we #StandwithJono
UPDATE: It seems Jono will have to wait until another date to learn his fate… until then we will continue to stand with Jono!
COMMUNITY PROTESTS RAMP UP AGAINST WHITEHAVEN COAL
In a third day of community resistance, protester concerned with the coal mining in the Leard State Forest in the state’s north-west have taken action to block access to mining infrastructure.
Two protester, Scarlett Squire, 21, and Beth Gibson, 22 have chained themselves to equipment on trucks loaded with building materials intended for Idemitsu’s Boggabri mine expansion, with another protester, Ashay Kaden, 20, locking himself onto the gate of Whitehaven Coal’s Gunnedah Coal Handling and Processing Plant.
“From a young age the environment has been very important in my life. Now more than ever it seems people like me are having to take these kind of actions to prevent unsustainable development in the fossil fuel industry.” said international sustainability student Ashay Karden.
Protesters have also raised the issue of community impacts, citing concerns over the cost of living, effects on farmlands and health impacts.
Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson, Phil Evans, said “This area has for so long been a farming district. When the Maules Creek mine goes ahead, the water table will drop several metres, with no water, you can’t farm. Are farmers supposed to hang up their Akubra and put on a hard hat just to keep food on the table?”
“We are calling on the Baird government to take a long hard look at this scandal plagued project, and the approval process that allowed it to go ahead. We need a Royal Commission to examine the planning approvals so that we never see a farce like this again.” Mr Evans added.
Idemitsu last month admitted their part in sending spies into the Leard Blockade protest camp.
Whitehaven Coal recently announced that they would be ramping up their operations with the employment of 450 staff.
UPDATE 8:30am: Police Rescue have removed the gate with Ashay still attached and dragged it off to the side of the road. Beth and Scarlett are still attached to the trucks bound for Boggabri.
UPSATE 8:45am: Police Rescue have just arrived to the site where Beth and Scarlett are locked on to the trucks.
Further Information:
Phil Evans
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0490 064 139
Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade
FARMER TAKES ACTION AGAINST WHITEHAVEN COAL
In a second day of action, protesters have blocked the access roads into Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine in the Leard State Forest calling for an end to the controversial mining project.
Among the protesters today is 53 year-old farmer Annette Schneider who is chained to a barrel filled with cement blocking a road.
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson, Helen War said, “this project has no social license. The community here has depended for generations on agriculture, and the water that feeds it, as a way of life. The threat to the aquifers that this mine represent will destroy that way of life forever. Water is more valuable than coal.”
The alluvial aquifers in the Maules Creek and surrounding area may drop up to 2m as a result of the mine.
Ms War added, “We are calling on Premier Baird for an immediate halt to all work on this projects, and for a Royal Commission with powers to look into the approval process that gave us the Maules Creek mine. It is time for this government to prove it is not just business as usual for miners, but time for a fair go for farmers.”
The Leard Blockade protest camp has seen 231 people arrested this year.
UPDATE: Police rescue are on site cutting into the barrel.
UPDATE 8:30am: Both protestors have been arrested and taken into custody.
UPDATE 12pm: both have been arrested and charged.
Further Information:
Helen War
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0431 930 428
Twitter updates @FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade
Fresh round of protests target Whitehaven Coal
Fresh protests have swept the Leard State Forest today, with a protest action to hamper the construction of Whitehaven Coal’s controversial Maules Creek project.
Environmentalist Sam Hagen, 25, and social worker (name removed) both from Queensland, have chained themselves to construction equipment, immobilising a crane at Whitehaven’s ongoing rail spur project that will be exclusively for the transport of coal.
Mr Hagen said “Unjust projects are approved by the greedy few, but paid for by the vast majority. This mine is without integrity to the core, from the immediate community that it impacts to the larger picture of climate change that it will exacerbate.”
Whitehaven Coal has just been subject to a two-week investigation by the EPA, regarding concerns over blasting practices and their impact on local residents and dwellings.
Spokesperson for the Leard Forest Alliance, Helen War, said “We’re calling on the Baird government to halt construction on the mine to allow for a full investigation of this scandal-plagued project.”
“At what point will this destructive industry be held to account? We need a Royal Commission into the approval processes of coal mining operations, in order to shine the light on this disturbing Maules Creek project, and stop future projects proceeding with such reckless abandon.”
There have been 229 people arrested in the Leard State Forest and surrounding mines since January this year.
Further Information:
Helen War
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0431 930 428
Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade
Whitehaven it’s our NAIDOC not yours
GOMEROI TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS PRESS RELEASE
The Gomeroi Traditional Custodians and their supporters raised over $2000 in order to return Whitehaven Maules Creeks $1500 donation to peoples day NAIDOC Week citing refusal to accept unethical funding after a year long struggle and disrespect shown to Elders and community by the company.
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held around the country each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s NAIDOC theme honours all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of country. This honour is from our warriors in the Frontier Wars to our warriors who have served with honour and pride in Australia’s military conflicts and engagements across the globe.
There has been a lot of blood shed in this region and on the Maules Creek site and there is no way that we can stand by and allow Whitehaven who have disrespected our ancestors and our Elders and community and continue to deny our rights to access the Leard State forest and our families gravesites for ceremony, promote themselves on our NAIDOC Week.
Uncle Dick Talbott said “How can we accept money from a company like Whitehaven for a celebration and commemoration of our ancestors’ sacrifices under these circumstances and the pain they have inflicted on our people and Elders. We would have had our families and children have to boycott a NAIDOC week celebration which is one of the very few occasions when we gather in celebration not Sorry Business (funerals). It’s just not right.”
With the support of the Friends of the Gomeroi Traditional Custodians we were able to raise enough money to send back Whitehaven’s money and tell them that their banner will not be displayed at our children’s and peoples day on Sunday. This is our day not Whitehaven’s and we will not have them tarnish NAIDOC Week and our day for community.
It is 12 months today since we walked off Whitehaven to try and have our cultural and heritage protected properly and for our concerns to be heard. Whitehaven’s continued denial of allowing access to the Maules Creek site and Leard State Forest for the purposes of undertaking ceremony at our ancestral gravesites and sacred ceremonial places is hurtful and shameful. They (Whitehaven) are now citing workplace health and safety issues to deny our rights to access site …we fear it’s just bully boy tactics using constructive blockages to stop us from undertaking a ceremony important to us. We will not stop fighting for our rights and for our ceremony.
Today on the eve of our NAIDOC Week – a week in which all communities throughout Australia are commemorating our peoples sacrifices and celebrating what’s good in our
community and the improved relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community is marred by this mining company- today instead of respect we have had to resort to lodging a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission for discrimination on the basis of denial of religious practices.
We would have wheelbarrowed the money back to them in five cent pieces if we needed to. No matter what we will continue our struggle for our rights and for the memories of our loved ones. We will continue to challenge Whitehaven’s behaviour and their disrespect and fight for the protection of our culture and heritage. We are back at the Boggabri Park across the road from Whitehaven at 10am today to deliver to Whitehaven a message
Media liaison person
Dolly Talbott mobile- 0413131983
Photos and videos
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/wdes652q7posz/4_July_2014