Wednesday 3 August 2016

Bulga Road protest against Warkworth coal mine

BY JARROD MELMETH

Bulga residents are hopeful of a strong show of public support for their daily protest vigil at the Warkworth coal mine.

Residents have been protesting daily next to Rio Tinto's coal mine, which has approval from the NSW Government to expand towards the town, through a bush land area of high importance to the Wonnarua Aboriginal people, and through the convict-built Wallaby Scrub Road.

The expansion was approved by the NSW Government last November following a campaign by local residents against the project that lasted six years.

Bulga Resident Rob McLaughlin says the way the community has been treated by Rio Tinto and the NSW Government is disgusting.

"Two courts have forensically examined the application of Rio Tinto and said the project should not proceed."

"We are here today to stand up and say this should not be happening. This expansion of the mine will see the decimation of our historic town"

The mine has seen two court cases against its approval. The government has since re-approved the mine, and removed local residents' right to challenge the merits of that decision in court.