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Clear the air of fourth coal terminal and give us big solar, say paddlers.
Today, hundreds of community members peacefully blockaded Newcastle Harbour the world’s largest coal port, stopping coal ships for the day.
On the beach, a community campaign called ”Lets Build Big Solar” aiming to fast-track large-scale renewable energy projects was launched by the group 100% Renewables. Meanwhile the coal port blockade coincides with the submission period for the proposed fourth coal terminal in Newcastle.
"People paddling here today can see a way out of coal. We know the government spends 12.2 billion dollars subsidising the fossil fuel industry every year. We can imagine a future beyond coal, where our government invests our money in clean renewable energy industries instead” said Nicola Bowskill from Rising Tide Newcastle
“We have launched the ‘Lets Build Big Solar’ Campaign at the People’s Blockade to build on the already overwhelming public support for a sustainable future for Australia. Renewable energy offers so many opportunities to clean up our air, develop a clean economy, particularly benefiting regional areas of our country, the sunniest country in the world” said Mike Collins from 100% renewables.”
"Concerns around the negative health impacts, water pollution risks, and climate change consequences of expanded coal mining and transport must be addressed before the green light is given to this terminal project,” says Nicola Bowskill of Rising Tide Newcastle.
"The fourth coal terminal will double the export capacity of the world’s biggest coal port, dramatically increasing health risks, land lost to mining and water pollution.
‘This blockade comes at a time when Australians are feeling the severe weather impacts of climate change, and increasing numbers of people in the Hunter are experiencing health impacts from coal. We are seeing productive farmland and rivers lost to coal mining at an increasing rate.
‘The community is concerned about the climate change impact of coal exports, and the devastating effects of the coal export chain on the people of the Hunter Valley.
‘Other industries are being pushed out of the Hunter to make way for this coal expansion nightmare.
‘Another terminal will mean more uncovered coal trains through Maitland and Newcastle suburbs, creating more dust and related respiratory problems.
‘Every aspect of the coal chain has direct negative impacts to human health.
‘Many residents feel the impact of the current pace of coal extraction in the Hunter is bad enough without adding yet another coal terminal.
For interview and more information: Nicola Bowskill 0406 639 298
