South coast Extinction Rebellion members block road to Allied Natural Wood Enterprises chip mill

A psychologist in her 60s says she is risking being arrested during a chip mill blockade to raise awareness of what she says is a ‘code red for habitat’.

Protesters have blocked a road to a south coast chip mill, which they say has disrupted business and raised awareness around a “code red emergency for humanity”.

Around 15 members of the Bega Valley Extinction Rebellion movement blocked the entrance to the Allied Natural Wood Enterprises chip mill south of Eden with a truck, preventing vehicles from entering and leaving the facility.

Two of the movements members, 62-year-old psychologist and mother Sally-Anne Brown and Annabell Gottwald, 26, spoke to The South Coast News from on top of the truck as they negotiate with police.

Bega Valley Extinction Rebellion members Sally-Anne Brown and Annabell Gottwald blockade the road to the Eden chip mill. Picture: XR

“We’re here to draw attention to the climate and biosphere emergency,” Ms Brown said.

She said the protest is not in response to the recent approval by Bega Valley Shire Council to allow a multimillion-dollar expansion of the facility, but to raise awareness around habitat conservation.

“I feel a mixture of grief and frustration,” she said.

“For many years I thought democracy was legitimate, but after many decades I can see it’s not effective.

“I really reject the proposition that I’m trespassing on this land or causing any damage.

Bega Valley Extinction Rebellion members speak with NSW Police. Picture: XR

“The Extinction Rebellion movement emphasises engagement with the truth and resisting lies.”

Ms Brown said she is determined to remain on the truck until she is removed by police in order to get “the message across”.

“What I’m hoping for at a local level is that we can become part of a bigger movement,” she said.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said an operation is still underway at the scene “in relation to unauthorised protest activity”.

Annabell Gottwald and Sally-Anne Brown sit on top of a truck on Thursday. Picture: XR

“Officers attached to South Coast Police District were called about 7.45am, after approximately ten people had blocked the roadway with a truck,” she said.

“Two women, aged 26 and 62 – both from Tarraganda – are sitting on the truck, allegedly refusing to come down.

“Police are working to get the women down safely.

“The other protesters were given move on directions by police and complied.”

South coast Extinction Rebellion members blockade the Eden chip mill on October 14. Picture: XR

Ms Gottwald said while the council had declared a ‘climate emergency’ in the region last year, more should be done to help protect the environment, and said she empathises with the truck drivers.

“I’m going out of my way to put myself in an uncomfortable position,” she said.

“I’d never had a speeding fine before being involved.

“It may seem confusing to people, but I’m helping the planet.”