Two Bob Brown Foundation protesters arrested after locking themselves to machinery
Two Bob Brown Foundation protesters have been arrested after locking themselves to mining equipment at a site in Tasmania’s West in an effort to stop “relentless threats” to the takayna/Tarkine”. LATEST >>
North West Coast
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TWO people have been arrested and a third will face court after a protest at the Riley Creek Mine near Tullah yesterday morning.
According to Tasmania Police, 12 protesters were on scene and the majority followed a police direction to move on.
Police allege two men locked themselves onto a gate and a loader and were removed by police Search and Rescue.
The Bob Brown Foundation organised the protest at the Riley Creek mine lease saying takayna/Tarkine needs to be handed back to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community rather than given to miners and loggers.
Venture Minerals recently announced that it was seeking finance for wet screening operations at the site and CEO Andrew Radonjic recently expressed his frustration at the protest activities.
Mr Radonjic said the development of the mine had a low environmental impact, would create 100 much needed jobs and inject about $100m into the Tasmanian economy in the next two years.
But Bob Brown Foundation campaigner Scott Jordan said anyone considering financing the mine should back away.
“While the government stands by and condones the destruction of this important habitat and landscape, members of the community will continue to stand up in defence of the natural and heritage values of the area,” Mr Jordan said.
“This mine will disastrously impact the survival of local Tasmanian devil and Spotted tailed Quoll populations and will degrade the World Heritage value landscapes.
“Threats to takayna/Tarkine are relentless. The logging and mining of stripping bare these lands for greed.”
Bob Brown Foundation Campaign Organiser Erik Hayward accused the Tasmanian Government was dragging its heels and failing to protect takayna/Tarkine as a world heritage national park.
A 30-year-old Glen Huon man was arrested and is being charged with trespass and will be bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date and a 26-year-old Blackstone Heights man was arrested and charged with trespass to appear the Launceston Magistrates Court.
A 19 year old Tinderbox woman will also face Hobart Magistrates Court on a trespass matter at a later date.
A similar protest in August saw two protesters arrested.
EARLIER, 12pm:
Two people have been arrested and a third will face court after a protest at the Riley Creek Mine near Tullah this morning.
According to Tasmania Police, 12 protesters were on scene and the majority followed a police direction to move on.
Police allege two men locked themselves onto a gate and a loader and were removed by police Search and Rescue.
A 30-year-old Glen Huon man was arrested and is being charged with trespass and will be bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date and a 26-year-old Blackstone Heights man was arrested and charged with trespass to appear the Launceston Magistrates Court.
A 19 year old Tinderbox woman will also face Hobart Magistrates Court on a trespass matter at a later date.
INITIAL, 9am:
POLICE are at a mine site near Tullah as conservationists again attach themselves to machinery to try to stop work on the iron ore project
Tasmania Police said there were 12 protesters at the site and no arrests had yet been made.
The Bob Brown Foundation is carrying out the protest at the Riley Creek mine lease saying takayna/Tarkine needs to be handed back to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community rather than given to miners and loggers.
They have re-entered the site to protest Venture’s resumption of operations in the World Heritage value takayna/Tarkine.
Two activists have attached themselves to the gate and mining machinery. A similar protest in August saw two protesters arrested.
Venture Minerals recently announced that it was seeking finance for wet screening operations at the site and CEO Andrew Radonjic recently expressed his frustration at the protest activities.
Mr Radonjic said the development of the mine had a low environmental impact, would create 100 much needed jobs and inject about $100m into the Tasmanian economy in the next two years.
But BBF campaigner Scott Jordan said anyone considering financing the mine should back away.
“While the government stands by and condones the destruction of this important habitat and landscape, members of the community will continue to stand up in defence of the natural and heritage values of the area,” Mr Jordan said.
“This mine will disastrously impact the survival of local Tasmanian devil and Spotted tailed Quoll populations and will degrade the World Heritage value landscapes.
“Threats to takayna/Tarkine are relentless. The logging and mining of stripping bare these lands for greed. takayna was looked after by the Tasmanian Aboriginal people before invasion and needs to be returned to their management instead of the miners and loggers.
Bob Brown Foundation Campaign Organiser Erik Hayward accused the Tasmanian Government was dragging its heels and failing to protect takayna/Tarkine as a world heritage national park.
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