500 people peacefully blockade Peabody’s Metropolitan Colliery

More than 500 people peacefully blockade Peabody’s
Metropolitan Colliery in Helensburgh. 3 people crossed police lines and arrested.

Sunday, October 11, Helensburgh NSW – More than 500 people have marched to the front gates of the Metropolitan Collieries, and 50
Climate Camp protesters have occupied the entrance to the
mine. They are protesting the mine's expansion and voicing concerns over water,
climate and jobs in NSW.

Three people have crossed police lines and so far and have been arrested.

Concerned locals showed-up in Helensburgh in droves despite reports
that intimidation tactics being used in the lead-up and throughout the
camp.

“My family came to Helensburgh 100 years ago, there are
4 generations of coal miners in my family buried in the local cemetery.
My grandfathers went to war to fight for what they believe in; I
continue that legacy and believe  we need to stop mining coal and
fight to stop climate change. That’s why I’m here,” says Matt from
Stanwell Tops.

“While Peabody and the Government are playing the
‘jobs’ card, it is little more than a feeble attempt at a political
wedge – the reality is that the expansion of polluting industries is
being done recklessly and community members will not tolerate it”, says
Climate Camp Spokesperson Jess Miller.

As reported in the The Age on Friday, Peabody spokesperson Jennifer Morgans told AAP, “[the mine expansion] would also create an
estimated 350 new jobs, doubling the current workforce to 700, while providing about 1000 indirect jobs throughout the Illawarra region.”

However according to Peabody’s own website it is stated, “[The] operational
workforce is expected to remain stable at 320 people” and that
“additional short-term construction workforce of up to 50 people.”

Coal communities network Rivers SOS are mounting a legal challenge in the Land and
Environment court against Planning Minister Kristina Keneally, challenging the legality of the mining approval process

Stills and Video Image: 0428367362 (Damian Baker)

Interview 0409 490 711 (Jess Miller)