MAULES CREEK and WILLOW TREE, 29 February 2016: Protests continue in North West NSW this morning, with one man stopping stopping coal trains near Willow Tree. Three more are locked to bulldozers in the Whitehaven Coal Maules Creek mine, delaying clearing of the Leard State Forest, on Gomeroi/Gamilaraay Country.

This follows similar protests on Saturday, where three people were arrested halting Whitehaven’s operations (Media Release 27 Feb 2016). These actions follow allegations that Whitehaven have illegally cleared forest during extreme heat, in breach of their Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) (Media Release 26 Feb 2016).

23 year old jazz saxophonist Reuben Legge, is one of the people locked to a bulldozer. “Whitehaven is brutally destroying a forest which has supported life on this planet for thousands of years, and unless we act together all our natural places will be lost” he says.

On Friday the Environmental Defenders Office, on behalf of their client South East Forest Rescue (SEFR), wrote to Whitehaven Coal and the Department of Planning, calling for an immediate investigation of the alleged non-compliance and stricter measures to prevent Whitehaven coal ignoring the rules.

Whitehaven were found to be clearing both Thursday and Friday. Both days had temperatures well above 35C, and it is alleged that clearing seems to have occurred at times when temperatures exceeded that limit.

“The 35 degree C limit was set because when it is too hot the animals hide in their hollows to conserve energy. Clearing during this heat results in higher mortality” said local ecologist Phil Spark, Front Line Action on Coal spokesperson.

“We are calling for Whitehaven to disclose their on-site readings, and for independent monitoring of when clearing can occur. There is zero faith in Whitehaven being able to self regulate” said Mr. Spark

Mark Selmes, a 56 year old librarian and wildlife carer, is sitting atop a coal train. “I am standing up for the wildlife” he says. “I’m saying enough is enough. The Leard State Forest is home to many threatened species, and it is a high conservation value forest. The coal on these trains comes from destroying crucial habitat. The animals can’t just pack up their bags and go somewhere else. Soon there will be nowhere else.”

Nearly 400 people have been arrested to date taking peaceful direct action protesting Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine.

Further Information:

Phil Spark

Front Line Action on Coal Spokesperson

0427 642 245

Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade

leard.frontlineaction.org

More images can be found at https://www.mediafire.com/#96292jd84qym9

MEDIA UPDATE 2PM

Protests Continue as Whitehaven Clears Habitat

One man has been arrested, and three more continue to stop work in the Whitehaven Coal Maules Creek Mine site today. These peaceful actions aimed to draw attention to the clearing of the critically endangered Leard State Forest on Gomeroi/Gamilaraay Country, following allegations that Whitehaven have illegally breached their Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP).

Mark Selmes, 56, a librarian and wildlife carer, was arrested after stopping a coal train for five hours near Willow Tree. This action stopped the rail freight of coal from all mines north of Willow Tree, including those located in the Leard State Forest. He was removed by Police Rescue and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

Reuben Legge, 23, Kelly Purnell, 26, and Adam Rayner, 33, all remain locked onto bulldozers within the Maules Creek Mine site, preventing forest clearing. At the time of writing, they have been locked on for over five hours.

Adam Rayner, 33, Paramedic, has been locked to a bulldozer for over five hours.

“People, land and culture should be valued as having more worth than short term profits from obsolescent energy sources” he says.

Kelly Purnell, 26, Support Worker, is another person stopping clearing in the mine site today. She says, “I stand in solidarity with Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people, and all people affected by colonialism and environmental destruction. This affects us all.”

Further Information:

Phil Spark

Front Line Action on Coal Spokesperson

0427 642 245

Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade

frontlineaction.org

More images can be found at https://www.mediafire.com/#96292jd84qym9

Photos available here https://www.mediafire.com/folder/ifgiqhi1cqgin/27_Feb_2016_EXTERNAL

MAULES CREEK and WILLOW TREE, 27 FEB 2016: Today the rail line for coal in north west NSW has again been shut down by activists concerned over Whitehaven’s forest clearing. A bulldozer has also been halted in the Leard Forest forest by 2 women, delaying clearing. These actions follow allegations that Whitehaven has cleared during extreme heat in breach of the conditions of their Biodiversity Management Plan (Media Release 26 Feb 2016).

Whitehaven are clearing the environmentally and culturally significant Leard State Forest, on Gomeroi/Gamilaraay Country, for the expansion of their controversial Maules Creek Mine. These actions prevent any coal reaching port from all mines north of Willow Tree, including the Maules Creek Mine, as well as delaying clearing of the forest.

“Whitehaven are clearing critical habitat for over 35 threatened and endangered species. When it is too hot animals hide in their hollows to conserve energy. Clearing during this time ensures that not only will these animal’s homes be destroyed, they will not have the opportunity to flee.” said Phil Spark, local ecologist and Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson

Yesterday, the Environmental Defenders Office, on behalf of their client South East Forest Rescue (SEFR), wrote to Whitehaven Coal and Department of Planning calling for an immediate investigation of the alleged non-compliance and stricter measures to prevent Whitehaven coal ignoring the rules.

“There needs to be certainty in whether or not Whitehaven are complying to their BMP, we demand that there is an independent monitoring process, and that Whitehaven disclose their onsite readings.” said Mr. Spark

“Gamilaraay people are about stopping the clearing of the Leard Forest. First and foremost it’s about protecting the land, our connection to country, song, dance, story, knowledge and culture.” said Uncle Paul Spearim and Uncle Allan Talbot, Gamilaraay Nation

““We are a few of many concerned about the mining expansion on Gamilaraay/Gomeroi country, and the impacts this will have on our last remaining forests and climate. This affects us all, we will do all that it takes until our voices are heard” said Annette Schneider, Sarah Sargan who are locked on a bulldozers in the forest and Emil Dacy-Cole, who scaled and stopped the locomotive essential in hauling coal to the Port of Newcastle.

“This forest should have never been cleared, for ecological and cultural reasons. It adds insult to injury that Whitehaven are not even adhering to the incredibly weak conditions of their Biodiversity Management Plan. We are united in opposition and demand answers” said Meret MacDonald, Front Line Action on Coal spokesperson

The Leard State Forest contains Box Gum Woodland a Critically Endangered Ecological Community of which there is less than 0.1% left globally.

MEDIA UPDATE 3pm

Today, 3 people have been arrested and taken into custody stopping Whitehaven coal’s operations. Their peaceful actions were to draw attention to the clearing of the critically endangered Leard State Forest on Gomeroi country, and to the allegations of illegal non-compliance with the Biodiversity Management Plan.

Citizen Scientists have recorded temperatures of 38C in the Leard Forest today. These exceeds the conditions of the Biodiversity Management Plan. Footage is available of them clearing the forest this morning.

Arrests:

-Emil Dacy-Cole 21 stopped the coal train at Willow Tree.This actions prevent any coal reaching port from all mines north of Willow Tree. Including 5 Whitehaven Mines and Idemitsu’s Boggabri Coal Mine, also clearing the forest.
He was locked on for 4 hours until Police Search and Rescue removed him and he was taken to Muswellbrook into custody. He is now out of custody.

-Sarah Sargan 24, Child-care worker, and Annette Scneider 55, Farmer and Mother,  halted a bulldozer clearing the Leard Forest. This delayed clearing operations. They were locked on for over 5hours. They have just been released from Narrabri Police Custody.

PERSONAL STORIES:

Annette Schneider, 55, Farmer and Mother:
Update 27/02/2016

Locked on for over 5 hours stopping a Whitehaven bulldozer in the Leard State Forest. Currently in Narrabri Police Station. For updates @flaccoal #LeardBlockade

I’m a 55 year old farmer and mother. I often have difficulty concentrating on everyday life and local problems because the science I have read has made me aware of what a mess we have made of the planet with coal based industry. I get depressed at the thought that my children may never reach my own age because of the effect of climate change. The cure for depression is action.

The science is in and there is no doubt that if we don’t stop expanding the coal industry we will destroy all complex life on Earth. My current comfort is not worth destroying the future of all I love. I am fighting the corruption of Whitehaven Coal because they are killing the forests and oceans. They are destroying our food water and the air we breathe.

Annette Schneider was locked on to a bulldozer today for over 5 hours in the Leard State Forest. She has now been arrested and is in Police custody.

“The forest they are clearing is critically endangered, and it is madness that it is being destroyed. Numerous Gamilaraay sacred sites have been destroyed, continuing the dispossession of the traditional custodians of this land.

The forest contains Box Gum Woodland a Critically Endangered Ecological Community of which there is less than 0.1% left globally and 34 threatened species.

As Whitehaven clears the forest, the habitat for these species is destroyed. Clearing at these temperatures means that the animals will not be able to flee and will perish.

I am dressed as a gecko that dies when the forest dies.”

Emil (Mils) Dacy-Cole, 21, homemaker
Update 27/02/2016

Today, Mils locked on to a coal train locomotive at Willow Tree stopping the transport of coal from mines in the Namoi Valley to Newcastle Coal Port.  Mils delayed the coal trains for over 4 hours, before being removed and arrested by Police, they have now been released.

They acted in solidarity with the Gamilaraay people who said that our future lies in those of us from different backgrounds, coming together in spirit to work and live as one.

Mils believes that the situation of climate change had made the need for direct action urgent.

“There are those who profit on the destruction of our future, not only of my future, but of those to come. I am 21 years old and I know the devastation of this planet in a changing climate is only going to escalate.

By taking action, I am investing in my future”

Further Information:

Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade

leard.frontlineaction.org

MEDIA UPDATE 26 Feb 2016

MAULES CREEK, 26 Feb 2016 It has been alleged today that Whitehaven coal are likely to have cleared illegally this week during the expansion of the Maules Creek mine.

Today the Environmental Defenders Office, on behalf of their client South East Forest Rescue (SEFR), has written to Whitehaven Coal and the Department of Planning, calling for an immediate investigation of the alleged non-compliance and stricter measures to prevent Whitehaven coal ignoring the rules.

Whitehaven were found to be clearing yesterday, as well as today. Both days had temperatures well above 35C, and it is alleged that clearing seems to have occurred at times when temperatures exceeded that limit.

MEDIA RELEASE from earlier today

MAULES CREEK, 26 Feb 2016: Whitehaven have been caught out illegally clearing the Leard State Forest to expand their controversial Maules Creek coal mine. According to their Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) they are not allowed to clear if temperatures exceed 35 degrees C. Today we have evidence that Whitehaven have been clearing when temperatures have exceeded these conditions. It proves that they should not be allowed to be self-regulated according to their own weather station on site.

“The 35 degree C limit was set because when it is too hot the animals hide in their hollows to conserve energy. Clearing during this heat results in higher mortality as the animals are less able to flee and find cool refuge when their homes are destroyed,.” said Phil Spark local ecologist, Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson

“We are calling for independent monitoring of when clearing can occur. There is zero faith in Whitehaven being able to self regulate, and today’s findings are an example of Whitehaven’s disregard of regulations and their anxiousness to cut corners in a crashing coal market” said Mr. Spark

Yesterday, Local residents called NSW planning who stated that Whitehaven stopped clearing at 2.15pm.

Yesterday’s temperatures have been monitored onsite in the forest by concerned citizens who have recorded over 35 degrees C from 11am, there were also readings at Middle Creek and North Avoca at Maules Creek which exceeded 35 degrees at 1.40pm. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded over 35 degrees C from Gunnedah at 1.30 and Narrabri at 2pm.

“There needs to be certainty in whether or not Whitehaven are complying to their BMP, we demand that there is an independent monitoring process, and that Whitehaven disclose their onsite readings.” said Mr. Spark

The Leard Forest contains the critically endangered ecological community of Box Gum Woodland of which there is only 0.1% left. The forest is known to provide habitat for over 30 threatened species including the Yellow bellied sheath tail bat, Turquoise parrot, and Square tailed kite.

Further Information:

Phil Spark
Leard Forest Alliance Spokesperson
0427 642 245

Meret MacDonald
Front Line Action on Coal Spokesperson
0402017027

Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade

leard.frontlineaction.org

WERRIS CREEK, 21 February, 2016: Two women have peacefully occupied a fully-laden coal train in Werris Creek this morning to call for a moratorium on further coal and gas production in Australia as the world moves to restrict fossil fuels and move to renewable energy.

The action has halted all railments of coal to the Port of Newcastle, the world’s busiest coal port, and comes in the wake of moves by Indonesia, the United States, France and Vietnam to leave more fossil fuels in the ground.

“While the world is accepting that coal and gas are dying industries, my community is bearing the brunt of our government’s addiction to mining” said Roselyn Druce, a resident of Maules Creek, where Whitehaven Coal is poised to begin another round of forest clearing for open-cut coal mine expansion.

“Malcolm Turnbull told Townsville residents last week that the end of the mining construction boom ‘always had to happen’, but our communities are being left out in the lurch”.

“Coal and gas companies are devastating our health, our communities, our water and our wildlife,” said Elise Chatterton, 23, one of the two women participating in the action.

“With coal and gas prices collapsing globally, we urgently need a transition to clean energy in Australia as well,” said Monica Haynes, 30, who was also participating in the action.

Further Information:

Roselyn Druce

Front Line Action on Coal Spokesperson

0427 826 188

Twitter updates @FLACCoal and #LeardBlockade

leard.frontlineaction.org

Media Release from the Leard Forest Research Node

Photo: Clive Heywood Barker

Temperatures over 35 degrees will halt the felling of Leard State Forest, under conditions imposed on the Boggabri and Maules Creek Coal mines, but community observers have extreme doubts that the condition will be observed, say members of the Leard Forest Research Node.

“The condition is there because over 35 degrees many animals are simply too stressed to flee from the destruction of their nests and habitat,” said Anna Christie of the Leard Forest Research Node, a community group established to conduct observations and scientific analysis of mine impacts at Leard Forest.

“Each mine has its own weather station and they told the Department of Planning they would not even accept eachother’s weather station readings. We fear if the temperature limit is invoked, Idemitsu Resources and Whitehaven Coal companies will start disputing the temperature and lead to a collapse in regulation of this condition.”

The community is reliant on two University of NSW weather stations, at North Avoca (Elfin Crossing) adjacent to Maules Creek, and Middle Creek, both easily accessible via the OzForecast Narrabri web page.

“We have heard that 28 ecologists are on hand to observe the felling of Leard Forest and ensure it takes place according to the conditions,” said Ms Christie. “But the community has no confidence in these consultants nor indeed any scientific information issued by Idemitsu or Whitehaven Coal.”

“Also Idemitsu has applied for planning approval to dig a new bore field at Boggabri as they claim to have only half of their water requirements. Nearly 100% error in water usage predictions really diminishes confidence in their scientific modelling.”

“Whitehaven is already being ordered by the NSW Government to remodel the Maules Creek mine noise impacts, because the original modelling has been also been found to be wildly inaccurate. We expect the Government to demand remodelling of the dust and water impacts in the near future.”

Temperatures in Maules Creek on Monday and Tuesday were over 35 degrees for extensive periods. Middle Creek weather station recorded on Monday that the temperature was over 35 deg from 12:05PM to 7:40PM and Tuesday 1:30PM to 6:20PM.

“Temperatures have dropped today, but we will be observing closely if they approach 35 degrees. We do not have confidence in the mines self-regulating this condition,” said Ms Christie.

Further comment: Anna Christie, Leard Forest Research Node, 0425 322 186

Media Release from the Leard Forest Research Node

Maules Creek is in security lockdown on the eve of extermination of possibly a further 500 hectares of Leard State Forest, to expand the Maules Creek and Boggabri coal mines.

“Mine security monitors all traffic at checkpoints within a 25km radius of the mines”, said Libby Laird, of the Maules Creek Country Womens Association. “Vehicles and their passengers, including children, are routinely photographed by security personnel who also employ aggressive driving tactics to cause drivers to slow down to be identified.”

Meanwhile, affected farmers bear the economic and health brunt of living next to the mines.

Twice since 15th January, neighbouring residents have been exposed directly to blasting fumes, with one local seeking medical attention.

Sydney University postgraduate ecology student, Amelie Mareva, and biology student Naomi Jones accompanied a group of experts and community members who toured coal mine impacted farms last week.

Although their primary focus is a study of dust impacts on pollination, and ambient dust measurement, they also were on site to observe a double blast at Maules Creek mine.

Having heard about the two toxic encounters with blast fumes during the weeks prior, Ms Mareva’s team of observers were careful to note the wind speed to ensure they could make a quick getaway from any coming fumes.

“Whitehaven should desist from blasting when the wind is gusting towards private property,” she said. “Gusts from the blast locations reached 35 kph or 9.64 metres per second in the direction of residences, which is the prevailing wind direction.”

Maules Creek farmer Mr Pat Murphy is one local who has borne the costs of living near a vast open cut coal mine. Mr Murphy is readying himself for an exodus of kangaroos and feral pigs pouring out of the Leard State Forest attempting to find sanctuary.

“The supposed animal escape corridors have been proven not to work. I have been unable to sow one of my paddocks after suffering a major financial loss the previous year due to animals fleeing the Leard Forest,” he said. “We, the victims of the Maules Creek mine, are actually subsidising it.”

According to Mr Murphy, “Whitehaven has effectively co-opted nearby private properties into its own wildlife corridor. They want to be Australia’s cheapest coal producer, at our expense.”

Further comment: Anna Christie, Leard Forest Research Node, 0425 322 186

MEDIA RELEASE from Wando Conservation and Cultural Centre
Heart-broken koala lovers today protested on the eve of planned annihilation of up to 500 hectares of woodlands by coal mines at the Leard Forest, New South Wales.

“Boggabri Coal and its parent company the Japanese industrial conglomerate, Idemitsu Resources, as well as its financiers the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have been responsible for the decline and near extermination of koalas in Leard Forest,” said Ms Pat Schultz of the Wando Conservation and Cultural Centre, Maules Creek.

“To obtain approval to mine for coal, Boggabri Coal and its advisers led the NSW Government to believe koalas were merely ‘transient’ and not resident in the Leard”, says Ms Schultz. “However this was, and remains, wildly incorrect.”

In September, academics and researchers from Japan’s Azabu University came to the Leard Forest, to ground truth statements made by Idemitsu Resources to the company’s Japanese financiers.

“I am very concerned about the plight of the koala, a threatened species which is very much loved in Japan and an iconic Australian animal,” said Mr Akira Harada, who is also Director of the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN).

“The Leard Forest used to be a haven for koalas, but coal mining has made it uninhabitable for the creatures,” he said.

“The company has reported in Japan that all environmental approvals and conditions are observed,” said Mr Harada. “These statements appear to be misleading the Japanese market.”

“We learned last year that Idemitsu Resources was fined by the NSW Department of Planning for illegally clearing land outside of the mine’s disturbance limits,” said Mr Harada.

“It was the second year in a row that Idemitsu has been punished by the NSW Government for failing to observe its conditions of approval. This information needs to be disclosed to the mine’s financiers.”

JBIC has a A$500 million stake in the Boggabri coal mine.

The Gomeroi elders and other Gomeroi people of the local community would like to invite everyone to a sacred ceremony to be held in the Leard State Forest 15th February 2016 for a ceremonial evening meet at the travelling stock route across from Velyaama gate entrance at 10am

Please bring your own food and camping gear. No pets allowed (due to permit) please RSVP (below) by Friday 4th February.

February is a special time for our emu ceremonies . Because Whitehaven Maules creek is planning to clear the forest and our sacred place will be destroyed as a result. This will be the last time we are able to hold this ceremony- ambient lights of the mine, the clearing of the forest will forever destroy the footprint of our ancestors and the dreaming of our belief systems.

Given that many people will be in the region at the time we invite you to peacefully and respectfully join us for this sacred ceremony.

IMPORTANT: This RSVP is specifically for the Emu Ceremony. This Ceremony is by the Gomeroi people and is not associated with Frontline Action on Coal. Your details will be forwarded to the Gomeroi organisers.

If you are also attending the Return of the Bats, please RSVP on the Return of the Bats page. This RSVP also includes transport, car pooling information and allows us to plan logistics to ensure you are well fed and looked after.