Over the next week climate change group 350.org in collaboration with local Lock the Gate Alliance groups will be hosting information sessions about the blockade to stop Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Coal mine near Narrabri in northwestern NSW.
The information sessions to be held in Lismore, Nimbin, Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby will feature presentations about the campaign, blockaders who have been to the camp sharing their stories, myself (350.org campaigner Ahri Tallon) speaking about the importance of stopping this new coal mine.
A month ago the valiant Northern Inland Council for the Environment lost its court challenge against the federal approval for the Maules Creek coal mine and the Boggabri Coal expansion.
Whitehaven Coal Ltd have since indicated that they are planning on starting construction of the new 14 million tonne per annum coal mine in early January despite the opposition of local Indigenous elders, farmers and environmentalists.
Now the only thing standing between Whitehaven Coal’s continuing on its path to damage the climate, the Leard State Forest and the Maules Creek community is people power.
‘We need coal and gas activists from the northern rivers to support this important campaign at this critical time,’ said Mr Tallon.
‘This campaign is a litmus test of the coal and gas movement’s ability to stand up to the power of the fossil fuel industry and peacefully stop the construction of what would be the biggest coal mine in Australia with direct action.
‘We are inviting the northern rivers community to come and find out how you can support this campaign that is shaping up to be a watershed moment in Australia’s battle to halt the expansion of mega coal mines across the country,’ said Mr Tallon.
A campaign is also underway to pressure the Australia New Zealand Bank (ANZ) to withdraw their financing of the Maules Creek Coal Mine expansion project. To find out more information about this go to www.marketforces.org.au.
Event times and venues include:
- Nimbin at Birth & Beyond at 54 Cullen St from 6pm on Tuesday 7January
- Lismore Workers Club from 6.30pm on Thursday 9January
- Murwillumbah Red Cross Hall from 6pm on Friday 10January
- Mullumbimby Civic Hall from 6pm on Saturday 11January.
Ahri Tallon, 350.org
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