500 protest and 13 arrested in peaceful blockade of Australia's oldest coal mine

Media Release October 12

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

13 people were arrested on Sunday in total. Eight at the bloackade were given $350 fines for trespass and will not face court. Five people were arrested earlier in the day at an action stopping work at dendrobium mine and charged with trespass.

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 four 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 that 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, “[the]
operational workforce is expected to remain stable at 320 people” with an
“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)