Coal terminal opening pleases no one

Graffiti protest targets coal ship 

High resolution images of the coal ship graffiti are available here.

A new coal terminal opening at Newcastle today has been snubbed by politicians, unions, and environmentalists.

The BHP-lead consortium Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group coal terminal has been taking ships for several weeks, but today underwent its official opening. Overnight, protesters painted “Quit Coal” in large white letters on the side of the bulk carrier Global Splendour, due to receive coal at the opening.

As well as the anonymous graffiti protest, the coal terminal opening was protested by workers angry at anti-union practices by profit-driven coal corporations, and boycotted by politicians from all political parties, including NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.

Rising Tide Newcastle have campaigned against the new coal terminal since it was first proposed. Group spokesperson Steve Phillips said:

“This is a day of protest, not celebration. We are witnessing the expansion of Australia's number one cause of climate change. The coal sold from this terminal will produce as much greenhouse pollution as every power station, every steel mill, every car, truck, and bus in the state of New South Wales.”

“As we witness more bushfires, droughts, floods and other impacts of climate change, it is clear we need to be moving away from coal – the major source of the problem.

“It's time to stop expanding the coal industry, and start replacing it with sustainable jobs-rich industries that don't threaten everything we hold dear.”