Front Line
“Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Environmental Protection Agreement”
Gomeroi Elders, Maules Creek farmers, community and environment organisations joined together to march down the main street of Gunnedah before heading to Boggabri to sign the historic “Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Environmental Protection Agreement” for the area threatened by the Maules Creek and Boggabri mines.
The Agreement sets out the protocols for protecting cultural heritage, lands and water and formalise the ways in which Gomeroi Elders and community will come together to protect what is jointly important to them.
The Agreement will also ensure that the protection of culture and heritage will be integrated into any protection efforts of any signatory undertaking their democratic right to peaceful protest.
Respected Gomeroi Elder, Dick Talbot said, “The common threat of open cut mining in a culturally and environmentally significant area such as the Leard State Forest has brought our communities together – we are coming full circle.”
This special day marks the commitment by Gomeroi Elders and community and the non-Aboriginal community to collaborate and continue the campaign to protect culture and heritage and continue to campaign for the environmental protection and wellbeing of future generations.
The full text of the agreement is here.
The Namoi Valley Independent reported on the day’s events:
The historic signing of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Environmental Protection Agreement was held this morning … as the nation commemorates the sixth anniversary of the National Apology.
Gomeroi Elders and the community held a Welcome to Country ceremony at the Red Kangaroo Memorial followed by a peaceful procession along Conadilly Street.
The agreement is between Gomeroi Elders, Maules Creek landholders and environmental protectors for the area threatened by the Maules Creek and Boggabri mines.
Clearing by coal mining companies in Leard State Forest
The top image shows newly bulldozed trees at Idemitsu’s Boggabri open-cut coal mine in Leard State Forest. The existing mine has already cleared hundreds of hectares of the forest and is currently clearing so that it can expand further into the forest.
The bottom image shows trees bulldozed along the edge of Northern Loop Road. This clearing is presumably to widen the existing road which Whitehaven Coal is using for access and to bring heavy machinery in to the forest during construction of its proposed Maules Creek open-cut coal mine and rail link.
These aerial photographs were taken on Monday 10th February 2014. The Leard State Forest is currently closed to the public, with authorities citing concerns about fire risk. However, both Whitehaven and Idemitsu are allowed to carry on coal mining and construction work in the state forest.
The beautiful flora and fauna of Leard State Forest
The beauty of Leard State Forest. This is just some of what will be destroyed if the open-cut coal mines go ahead.
You can click each image to see a larger version.
What you’re looking at:
- Double-barred Finches taking advantage of a cool summer breeze
- Eucalypt in flower
- Grey Teal Ducks at the local Elfin Crossing at Maules Creek
- Wedge-tailed Eagles in the late afternoon
- Wild Orange
- White-winged Triller
- Goanna
- Marsupial munching on Native grass
- Female Rufous Whistler
- Peaceful Dove
These wonderful photographs come to us via Maules Creek local Ros Druce.
Working together to save a forest from becoming a coal mine
The heads of Australia’s environmental organisations (including Greenpeace, the National Conservation Council, 350.org and Lock the Gate) have travelled to the Leard State Forest to hold talks about Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine.
Camp to protect Leard State Forest moves to a new location
Anti-coal protestors are vowing not to give up their fight to save the Leard State Forest, after being forced to pack up their camp on Tuesday.
The group has been camped out in the forest, on public land, since August, 2012, however a Narrabri Shire Council meeting last week ended in eviction orders of the group of around 20 people. […]
The fight isn’t over however, with the group setting up a new camp on a Maules Creek private property, 10 kilometres away.
— The Namoi Valley Independent, Protestors pack up camp, but set up nearby, 6 February 2014.
Tripod protest stops Whitehaven Coal trucking coal for export
A protester attached to a tripod structure shut down the main haul road of Whitehaven’s Tarrawonga coal mine for twelve hours on Thursday 6 February.
The haul road is used to truck coal from the mine to the train line at Gunnedah, where it is then transported to Newcastle for export.
Whitehaven Coal’s Tarrawonga open-cut coal mine sits on the edge of Leard State Forest in north west NSW.
Whitehaven Coal is the subject of ongoing protest from the local community, Gomeroi Traditional Owners, and environmentalists, for its plans to clear thousands of hectares of Leard State Forest to expand coal mining operations.
News from Front Line Action on Coal
Hi all, from the new camp!
Apologies for not updating here recently.
In the last couple of days, the bulk of camp FLAC has moved from the edges of the Leard State Forest to Cliff’s property, just 15 minutes away. Those who are interested in visiting, passing through, or joining can contact [email protected].
Things have been rather hectic in the last couple of months, with work ramping up at the new Maules Creek mine site and 28 activists arrested since December. Just yesterday a protester attached to a tripod structure shut down the main haul road of Whitehaven’s Tarrawonga Coal mine for twelve hours in an inspiring display of endurance and resolve. Here on the front line, dedicated people have consistently been putting pressure on Whitehaven and Idemitsu coal companies in the form of creative and peaceful direct action. There have been tree sits, picket lines, tripods, and mono-pole structures; with individuals locking their bodies to all kinds of forest-smashing machinery to voice impassioned objection to the desecration of country and land. What’s becoming rapidly clear is that these open pit coal mines do not have social license; we will not stand by while the entitled few jeopardise and pollute water, farmland, sacred sites, and the air that we breathe in spite of deep and widespread objection.
This campaign sends a strong message that coal mines are a poor investment, and investors should get out while they can. Hoards of concerned people from all over Australia are joining the blockade every day; both Idemitsu and Whitehaven Coal should expect sustained and growing protest in the year ahead. If you’ve read or seen any media in recent months, you’ll notice the fastly cementing bonds between large bodies of people (including Front Line Action on Coal) and various NGO’s as functioning under the nomenclature of “Leard Forest Alliance”. It’s yet another example of the strengthening of opposition here to open pit coal mining in Australia and should, again, serve as a warning to those thinking of investing in this cagey and dying industry.
The campaign, like all things, is only as good as the people who make it. So mobilise yourself. Get off the couch and come to the camp, even if it’s for a day. If you’ve ever considered the dangers of climate change, or are interested in historic campaigns that create real change in the world, then now is your time to come. Consider this your call to arms; we are waiting for your arrival. Movements grow and change, and must be given fresh air with new lifeblood that passes through. So show your support in any way you can – the clock is ticking. trees are falling, and coal is burning. Make it happen. Make it count.
For further convincing, click here to see a timeline of Maules Creek mine protests, here for amazing photos of actions, and here to see why Whitehaven’s a dodgy investment.
Front Line Action on Coal x
- A person sits for 12 hours atop a giant tripod on Tarrawonga mine’s haul road
Blockade stalls Maules Creek mine again
Protester road blocks & pole sit stop construction equipment at Leard State Forest. Read full details here in the media statement.
First photos of action at Whitehaven’s Maules Creek site at Leard State Forest
First photos as tripod action shuts down coal mine construction inside Whitehaven’s Maules Creek site at Leard State Forest.
Read full details about the blockade shutting down coal mine construction here in the media statement from Leard Forest Alliance.
PHOTOS: High resolution photos can be downloaded from here.
Blockade of Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Project shuts down construction in Leard State Forest
Over 100 people are today shutting down construction of the controversial Maules Creek coal mine project in northwest NSW, escalating a blockade of the site that has been underway for over two weeks.
Four groups of protesters have blocked four entrances to Leard State Forest, and another two are in the project area on tripod structures that are preventing Whitehaven Coal from continuing preliminary construction work.
Maules Creek local Roslyn Druce is among the 100 people at the blockade today and said, “This blockade has given our community hope that we are not just the collateral damage of the coal industry. It is the forest that has brought everyone together. This blockade is doing the job the Government should have done, protecting an irreplaceable forest.”
Among those risking arrest today is Bill Ryan, a legally blind 91-year old Kokoda veteran, who is taking part with his 65-year old son. Bill is joined by men and women of all ages and backgrounds, all of them refusing to allow Whitehaven Coal’s contractors to enter the site to build the mine.
Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson Georgina Woods said, “The men and women taking part in this blockade have been compelled to make sacrifices and put themselves at risk of arrest to protect something of great value. This mine should never have been approved: Environment Minister Greg Hunt can put a stop to all of this by revoking the approval that was mistakenly given to clear this forest for coal mining. We certainly won’t be giving up on this community, this forest and the people that love it.”
11AM UPDATE: One person arrested. Blockades still in place stopping construction of new open-cut coal mine at Leard State Forest. News stories now online: Sydney Morning Herald, News.com.au, AAP, The Guardian.
12:30PM UPDATE: Two more people arrested today (total arrests so far today is three). Four tripods still in place on perimeter gates.
UPDATES: Follow #leardblockade on Twitter for updates throughout the day.
PHOTOS: High resolution photos available to view and download HERE.