Country music legend and three time Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea was welcomed by Camp Wando this week whilst shooting the music video clip for his inspirational new song ‘Sing You Up’.

His visit could not have been more timely, with construction work  increasing day and night and dangerous  blasting becoming more frequent on the Maules Creek mine site.

Standing in front of his grandfather’s birthplace on the Namoi River, the property now owned by Whitehaven Coal is the site of Maules Creek water pump draining the life out the community, Luke reminds us that it has never been more important that the whole country not only sing, but stand up for the our land, our water and our future.

Luke is performing at this weeks Hats off to Country music festival in Tamworth. Keep an eye out for his new film clip featuring Gomeroi traditional owners, Maules Creek community members and the folks at Camp Wando.

 

 

A number of Christian leaders and 25 people of varying denominations have returned to the Leard State Forest, four of whom have locked their arms to a cross made of pipe to block access to Whitehaven Coal’s controversial Maules Creek project. Many of the group hail from the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), which held a protest action against the project earlier this year in March.

Concerned by the mine’s apparent disregard for Gomeroi sacred sites, several of which have already been bulldozed by Whitehaven, the protesters have chosen to risk arrest by trying to halt any further destruction.

Mr Byron Smith, Lay Minister at St George’s Anglican Church, said “Coal chokes our future, and this proposed mine particularly stinks. Out of respect and concern for all those whom it will harm, I oppose this mine.”

The Leard Blockade celebrated a victory earlier this month when, under pressure from environmental groups, Whitehaven gave an undertaking to cease clearing in the forest pending a court case in September. However construction on other parts of the Maules Creek mine continues, with the delivery of its Coal Handling and Processing Plant imminent, along with the formation of a railway spur. The spur, exclusively for the transport of coal, is a joint project between Idemitsu Resources and Whitehaven Coal.

A fifth protester, Tony Mohr, locked himself to a truck carrying the railway bridge for the ongoing construction of the rail spur, and adds to the mounting pressure on government ministers to act.

Mr Mohr said “I’ve spent the last 6 years campaigning for the carbon price. If the Abbott government tears up laws, Australians will take their own direct action. This whole project needs shutting down.”

The protest comes the same day a rally in nearby Gunnedah demands a halt to a new underground mine on the Liverpool Plains.   Mr Smith added “this mine simply must not go ahead for the future.”

226 people have been arrested for the Leard Blockade against coal mining in the Leard Forest since January this year.

A group of 20 protesters have blocked a main access road to Whitehaven’s controversial Maules Creek coal project this morning. The campaign to save the Leard State Forest has enjoyed a brief reprieve since the destructive winter clearing was halted, but the impending construction of Whitehaven’s new coal infrastructure will doubtlessly provoke a fresh response from protesters.

A recent case by the Maules Creek Community Council, which alleged that Whitehaven’s winter clearing of the Leard State Forest was illegal, pressured Whitehaven into stopping clearing until a final decision has been made in September. “We’re glad that Whitehaven have halted this most egregious aspect of their project, but the fact remains that this mine should never have been approved in the first place,” said Ben Solity, spokesperson for the Leard Forest Alliance.

“The clearing may have been delayed, but this fight is far from over,” said Mr. Solity. “The largest coal mine under construction in Australia is still jeopardising the Maules Creek Community, Indigenous culture and the health of our climate. We are encouraging all Australians to take a stand and be part this historic campaign.”

Never before in Australia have so many people taken direct action against a coal mine. In the past six months over 220 people have been arrested. “This campaign will continue until Maules Creek is no longer threatened by coal mining,” declared Mr. Solity.

Further Information:
Ben Solity
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0407 063 057

 

Photos available at
https://www.mediafire.com/#bjq7yxy296ro2

 

Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade

 

 

 

The battle to stop coal mining in the Leard State Forest is not over; will you come back with some friends to the Leard Blockade?

Great things have happened since we last contacted you. We thought we’d sit down, and fill you in on what’s happening with the Leard Blockade.

Last Thursday, Whitehaven Coal halted clearing in the Leard State Forest after the Maules Creek Community Council sought an injunction in court. It’s a significant win for the campaign, but it does not mean complete victory. In those few weeks, over 130 hectares of forest were cleared. We expect digging for the open pit to be imminent, with huge explosions echoing from the site every day.

In terms of what’s next, dug-up coal would be processed on site by a Coal Handling and Processing Plant (CHPP), which could be transported in and built any day, as it sits in nearby Narrabri. It’s the next big construction phase that needs to be stopped. A joint railway project with Idemitsu is also still charging on, whose Boggabri mine is also set to expand and clear more of the Leard State Forest.

The Leard Blockade is far from over. This community led, peaceful civil disobedience campaign has been hugely successful at stalling the progress of these mines, causing massive financial cost and time scheduling issues.

To count, there have been 226 people arrested taking nonviolent action in the Leard Forest and surrounding mines since January this year, and it’s a number that inspires. So now, while we celebrate the immediate stop to winter clearing and stand down Red Alert, there’s still an urgent call for people to come to Maules Creek and show support for the local community, the Gomeroi, and take action on climate change.

Whilst the forest is safe for now, there is much more at stake: farms, food, cultural heritage, community, and climate change.

The age of coal is over. The government is failing us, so we must act. So, when are you and your friends coming back to the Leard Blockade?

Front Line Action on Coal

 

 

Facebook: Front Line Action On Coal

Twitter: @FLACcoal and #LeardBlockade

Check out this Facebook Group for more about getting involved in Brisbane: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403289276593770/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Check out this Facebook Group for more about getting involved in Melbourne: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1402544600035318/

The third and last person in an ongoing treetop vigil descended late last night from a 182-hour canopy watch in the Leard State Forest, after learning that Whitehaven Coal had given an undertaking to immediately cease clearing. Sam Cooper, 23, has been up a tree for several days listening to bulldozing work for the controversial new Maules Creek coal mine.

Mr Cooper said, “When I saw the cleared areas for the mine, I realised I’d never properly experienced disgust. That it took Whitehaven until the eleventh hour to give an undertaking in court stresses to me that this is a coal company without integrity, and certainly without any social license to destroy Leard Forest and pollute the globe.”

Clearing of the forest is the first phase of the $767 million project that would produce 18,000 tonnes of coal dust pollution annually, as well as an estimated production of 13 million tonnes of coal.

Mr Cooper added, “I wish that shareholders in these companies actually knew what their money was going to. My time in a tree was beautiful; but tainted by the continual sound of crunching machines. It was unnerving to be up there, with the birds, awaiting inevitable bulldozers, but ecstatic to learn of the paused destruction of the forest.”

Over 220 people have been arrested since January in the Leard State Forest and surrounding areas in protest of coal mines.    

Further Information:
Helen War
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0431 930 428

Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade

In a much anticipated case, Whitehaven Coal gave an undertaking in the Land and Environment Court this afternoon to immediately cease all clearing in the Leard State Forest, pending a full court case in September. It gives credence to calls from environmentalists and the community that clearing in winter is an unlawful act, the approval of which has been deeply flawed.

Front Line Action on Coal spokesperson Helen War said “This afternoon was a victory for commonsense, which is usually the underdog. Long have we known clearing in winter months is wrong and cruel; Whitehaven Coal should be feeling deeply sorry to have started bulldozing at this time.”

The Leard State Forest is home to a Critically Endangered Ecological Community of White Box trees, which houses a multitude of vulnerable species, such as Corbens Long-Eared Bat, the Koala, and the Swift Parrot.

Today’s decision is yet another hurdle for the $767 million coal project, which has been the subject of consistent and ongoing protest from community groups, local farmers, and the broader community, many of whom have passed through the Front Line Action on Coal camp.

“This victory should indicate to shareholders and future investors that the coal ship is sinking, and Whitehaven’s troubles are far from over. This is just one battle in the fight for the Leard Forest. We’re not going anywhere, and we’re going to fight this until the end.”

 

Further Comment:
Helen War

Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0431 930 428

Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade

 

The ongoing tree-sit vigil in a marked area of the Leard State Forest passed its 143rd hour this morning, with 23-year-old tertiary science educator Samuel Cooper taking up residence in the canopy. He is the third person to take up the post to continue the tree watch over Whitehaven Coal’s imminent clearing in that area, and is calling for an immediate halt to work pending the outcome of a legal injunction, which will be heard later today.

Before climbing into his position up a tree, Mr Cooper said “Fossil fuel extraction and the clearing of critically endangered woodlands are both completely unacceptable at this time in history.”

The Maules Creek Community Council lodged a legal case on Friday claiming that Whitehaven’s Maules creek project contravenes the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, breaching development consent with a last-minute change to clearing permissions.

Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson Helen War said “This clearing has no social license, and nor does coal anymore. It’s important that this destruction cease immediately, or we’ll lose the Leard State Forest entirely in vain.”

Justice Biscoe’s decision regarding the winter clearing in the forest is expected by 4pm today.

Further Information:
Helen War
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0431 930 428

Twitter updates@FLACCoal and#LeardBlockade

Over 30 protestors have rallied out side Whitehaven Coal’s Boggabri office in support of a legal challenge to winter clearing  in the Leard State forest making way for the Maules Creek coal mine. the rally coincides with a visit by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and NSW MP Mehreen Faruqi to the Leard Blocakde to bear witness first hand to the destruction.

Last week NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes expressed ‘concern’ about Whitehaven Coal’s lack of biodiversity strategy for the Leard Forest area and claimed that any decisions about clearing in the Leard fell within Goward’s Planning portfolio.

Maules Creek Community Council launched legal action against Whitehaven Coal on Friday claiming that the Maules Creek project has breached development consent, contravening the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The case, now entering its third day, continues to be heard.

Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson Ros Druce said “We believe the clearing is unlawful, and this case needs to be heard quickly before any more irreparable damage is done to this unique forest environment and the animals that live in it.”

226 people have been arrested this year in the ongoing campaign against coal mining in the Leard Forest area.

Further comment:

Ros Druce, Leard Forest Alliance Spokeperson, 0427 826 188

 

 

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.”

Leard Forest Alliance Media Release: 09 June 2014

TREETOP VIGIL REACHES 72 HOURS; ‘UNLAWFUL’ BULLDOZING CONTINUES Veterinary nurse Kate Warren, 23, has taken up residence in a treetop vigil in an area of forest marked for clearing in the Maules Creek mine site, marking 72 hours and counting, and unveiled a banner reading “Coal Harms Health”. Protesters are calling for an immediate halt to clearing pending a legal action that is challenging the lawfulness of the last-minute change to Whitehaven Coal’s Biodiversity Management Plan. The change has seen bulldozing of the forest throughout winter already begin, despite environmentalists’ concerns over vulnerable wildlife in winter dormancy. Just yesterday the controversial Maules Creek site was subject to a mass peaceful demonstration, where 50 protesters walked on site, planted native seedlings in newly bulldozed areas that just days ago were forest, and were arrested and issued fines. Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson Helen War said, “Here we have another case where a mining company has complete disregard for the environment, and the government seems more than willing to green-light unreasonable allowances, disregarding the bigger picture of biodiversity loss.” “We’re disgusted that despite the extraordinary findings of ecologists in community audits, the precious ecosystem in this state forest is already treated as a mine site. Has Whitehaven no regard for these animals in torpor?” Ms War added, “This treetop vigil will be maintained until the law is upheld and Whitehaven Coal are barred from clearing the Leard State Forest in winter.” For further comment: Helen War Leard Forest Alliance 0431 930 428