The Carmichael Mine - Bimblebox, the Great Barrier Reef, Wetlands and water ... all are in the firing line

Carmichael Coal Mine

Community group Land Services of Coast and Country launched legal proceedings in September against Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine in the Queensland Land Court on the grounds of climate change, groundwater impacts and protection of the threatened Black-throated Finch.

The proposed Adani Carmichael underground and open-cut mine, railway and port project includes building Australia’s largest thermal coal mine in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland. It will be linked by a purpose built 388km rail line to a new terminal at Abbot Point Port adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef near Bowen. It will export to India 60 million tonnes of coal each year over its estimated life of 60 to 90 years.

The Carmichael coal mine will open up the currently untouched Galilee Basin coal reserve. It will impact on the threatened ecological community at Doongmabulla Springs and the million year old groundwater resources that are the life blood of surrounding farmers. It will also significantly impact threatened species including one of only two nationally important populations of the endangered Black-throated Finch (pictured).

The hearing of the mining lease applications and objections 

is listed for five weeks commencing on Monday, 30 March 2015.

For information visit EDO Queensland.

Neighbouring the Galilee Basin is Bimblebox Nature Refuge.  

Asylum seekers on #Manus Island; the future of the #Great Barrier Reef; #Invasion Day; and the history of the #Aboriginal Tent Embassy are vying for our attention.

Emergency rally: Support asylum seekers on Manus Island. No forced relocation to Lorengau

Wednesday, January 21, 5:30pm. Over 700 asylum seekers are on hunger strike on Manus Island, over 200 have collapsed and required treatment. They fear for their lives if they are resettled at Longerau on PNG. One Wilson security guard recently told them: ‘You should keep on hunger strike and die here, because you will be killed as soon as you are outside.’ In retaliation against the protests even those not participating in the hunger strike have been refused food and water for two days. The first eight refugees are due to be forced to Longerau on January 22. No forced resettlement! No violence against hunger strikers! Close Manus and all the detention camps! State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.

Rally: Defend the Great Barrier Reef

Sunday, January 25, 11am. The Australian government plans to create the world's largest coal export terminal at Abbott Point near Bowen in Queensland. Dredging for the terminal will dump mountains of spoil in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It's time to stand up for the world's largest living organism, our Great Barrier Reef, a national treasure and one of the seven wonders of the world. O'Donnell Gardens, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda.

Rally: Invasion Day

Monday, January 26, 10:30am. January 26 is not only a day of mourning for us as Indigenous people but a day to make our voices heard, to take a stand. Invasion Day is a day to demonstrate our resistance to colonization and genocide. We have never ceded our sovereignty, and remain committed to the cause of decolonization. We are asking people to bring flowers with them to leave on the steps of parliament in commemoration of those killed at the hands of continued genocidal practices: the massacres, Black deaths in custody, stolen generations, and the onslaught of assimilation. All welcome to march with us. Parliament House steps, Spring St, City. Organised by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance.

Film Screening: Ningla A-Na (Hungry for our land)

Friday, February 6, 6:30pm (meal from 6pm). A rare additon to the study of Australian History. Made in 1972, Ningla A-Na  records the events surrounding the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House. It incorporates interviews with black activists, the work of the National Black Theatre, Aboriginal Legal Service and Aboriginal Medical Service, plus footage from the demonstrations and arrests at the embassy. Suggested donation $10/$5. Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). Presented by Green Left Weekly.