Front Line
A large group of people have walked into the Boggabri Coal Mine pit in the Leard State Forest today as part of an international day of action against coal.
The group is calling on the Forestry Corporation of NSW to no longer sign access agreements with coal mining companies on public land and for banks to no longer fund new coal mines.
Front Line Action on Coal spokesperson Murray Drechsler said that three open-cut coal mines in Leard State Forest would wipe out over 4,000 hectares of native vegetation and would damage the local community and water table.
“These are our state forests, and by allowing destruction by Idemitsu and Whitehaven, the Forestry Corporation is abusing public trust,” Mr. Drechsler said.
“We will not give in until these forests and farms are protected.”
The group welcomed calls earlier this month for Australia’s big four banks to pull out of funding new coal projects after the Climate Commission advised 80% of coal must be left in the ground to avoid a climate catastrophe.
“It’s time for ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and other banks to keep coal in the hole.”
A picture of the protest is available on request
For further comment:
Murray Drechsler
Front Line Action on Coal
0418 754 869