Galilee Blockade launches Adani Free Zone in Northern NSW

ACTIVISTS launched a new campaign today that targets the $2 billion contract of a company associated with Adani’s Carmichael mine.

Charis Chang

2 min read

October 4, 2017 - 1:06PM

Activists are targeting Adani and its contractors. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mining

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THE fight against Adani’s mega mine in Queensland is heating up with activists now vowing to launch Adani Free Zones across Australia.

The Galilee Blockade group says it will not only target the Indian coal company but also any other companies potentially associated with the project.

It comes as Four Corners investigated Adani’s concerning environmental and financial track record in India.

First in their sights is Downer, the preferred contractor to build and operate Adani’s Carmichael mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

At the launch of the campaign today, about 70 people demanded local councils in the Northern Rivers region of NSW not enter into contracts with companies like Downer.

Currently Downer is tendering for asphalt contracts with Lismore Council and the company is also on the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC)’s list of preferred contractors.

Downer’s subsidiary RPQ/NSW Spray Seal is also on the preferred contractors list.

Local activists say they are prepared to use nonviolent direct action to physically prevent Downer from conducting works in the region if contracts are entered into.

“Adani Free Zones will be people powered,” Galilee Blockade national spokesman Ben Pennings told news.com.au.

“Citizens will use their personal and collective power to keep any company in bed with Adani out of their region.

“If councils don’t make an ethical choice, citizens definitely will. Sustained civil disobedience famously stopped Metgasco entering Northern Rivers. Downer is next.”

Mr Pennings said Downer was a large, diverse company that did not need Adani’s $2.6 billion contract and could also withdraw from the project without penalty.

“Downer want to make profit out of Northern Rivers communities, just like they want to profit from risking the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Artesian Basin and climate chaos. We’re going to make sure they profit from neither,” he said.

The Northern Rivers region, which encompasses Lismore, Grafton and Tweed Heads in Northern NSW has a proud tradition of successful community blockades and famously stopped coal seam gas developments going ahead in 2015 after more than two years of civil action.

About 70 people turned up to support the Adani Free Zone in the Northern Rivers.

“The physical and social infrastructure to support civil disobedience in Northern Rivers is unprecedented in Australia. Bentley Blockade grew to three and a half thousand people on site, with thousands more on a text alert system,” Mr Pennings said.

“I can’t imagine a single one of those folk who would want a close ally of Adani doing business in Northern Rivers.”

Long-time resident Nan Nicholson, 64, is a veteran campaigner with North East Rainforest Alliance and Lock The Gate. She has now joined the local Galilee Blockade group to ensure Northern Rivers becomes the first ‘Adani Free Zone’ in Australia.

“Northern Rivers communities stood strong to protect our land and water from invasive gas fields, with hundreds getting arrested,” Ms Nicholson said.

“We will stand together to protect the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Artesian Basin and a liveable planet for our kids and grandkids.

“I can’t think of more engaged communities to make such a vital stand for the future. We’ll keep Downer and anyone else in bed with Adani out of the Northern Rivers.”

The Adani Free Zone launch comes after about 100 activists from Frontline Action on Coal and Reef Defenders held a week-long protest in Bowen against the mine.

There will also be a #StopAdani national day of action on Saturday, October 7 with more than 30 events planned across Australia.