File:Queensland Police, 20171206-Adani-blockade-008.jpg

English: Photo by Julian Meehan

Copyright: Creative Commons CC-by-SA

Blockade of work on Adani Southern Galilee basin rail line.

In Hot and humid conditions two gates were blockaded to stop preliminary work that has started on the Adani Southern Galilee Basin rail line.

Frontline Action on Coal blockade of Adani construction works. Audrey Cooke locked on by the neck with message in Chinese about preserving the earth and our heritage for future generations, against climate change and fossil fuels. Audrey is over 70, and is active in Melbourne against Adani and coal.

There were 13 people arrested for trespass. Greens MPs Jeremy Buckingham and Dawn Walker have trespass notices and were called to move on and did so. Five police cars were called to transport people to Clairemont police station. Photographer Julian Meehan has been issued an official move on order. 11 people are going to Claremont because they would not move.

A precious aboriginal painting form Uncle Ben has been taken and threatened with destruction. there is another group locked on at another gate.

Media statement:

Belyando, 6th December: Joined by NSW Parliamentarians Jeremy Buckingham and Dawn Walker, dozens of people have walked on to Adani’s rail construction site in Central Queensland, stopping work on the ill-fated mega coal mine. This morning’s action is part of a growing wave of disruption to stop the mine and comes just days after several of China’s largest banks including two of the world’s largest lenders to coal – ruled out funding for the project.

Some of the people have locked on to the entrance gates whilst a large group is occupying the work site, stopping work on the rail line.

“Although we are MPs from NSW, this is an issue of national and international significance. Adani represents a line in the sand for all those concerned about climate change who do not want to see a new coal precinct opened up in Australia. We stand with all those opposed to this crazy coal mine,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham

“Although this mine is miles from anywhere, the eyes of all Australians are on it. We have travelled days to get here but believe me many more will follow. I’m appalled by the way this project is tearing indigenous communities apart and offering a sub standard agreement to Traditional Owners for their land, with little economic opportunity. On every level this operation doesn’t stack up,” said Greens MP Dawn Walker.

“I’m a law abiding citizen, mother and grandmother. The impacts of Adani’s mine are terrifying. The world is moving beyond coal. It’s ludicrous that a country as sunny and windy as Australia is even considering this ridiculous mine. It would be a terrible investment in a miserable future,” said retiree Audrey Cooke.

“This mine is doomed. Twenty seven of the world’s largest banks won’t touch it. The Queensland Government says it won’t fund it. And the community is overwhelmingly opposed to it. Adani is a fighting a losing battle and we’re here today to show that the community will stay for as long as it takes for Adani to walk away,” said Anandan Mcewen, one of the protestors.

“We know that thousands of people are prepared to join us here in Central Queensland. We won’t stand idly by and let Adani trash our climate, wreck our Reef, and run roughshod over Traditional Owner rights,” concluded Mr Mcewen.

Civil disobedience has been taking place in and around Adani’s work sites in Central Queensland since August with more actions planned over the coming weeks and mass mobilisations flagged for early next year.