Bells protest spells out anti-Adani message

OPPONENTS of a mine in central Queensland brought their surfboards to a protest at Bells Beach on Sunday.

Organisers said more than 300 people gathered at the famous Surf Coast beach to show their disapproval towards the proposed coal mine and how its operators Adani are seeking a loan of nearly a billion dollars from the federal government.

At the beach, surfers, residents and visitors formed a human, seaweed, ocean debris and surfboard sign spelling out “STOP ADANI”.

Sunday’s protest was filmed by two drones and was part of a weekend of action, with “STOP ADANI” signs being formed on beaches and at rallies across Australia.

Graeme Stockton from the Surf Coast Energy Group said that the Geelong region was waiting for Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson to publicly state her position on the Adani coalmine.

“Sarah Henderson describes herself as a ‘staunch fighter for the environment’ but the community is yet to hear from her on this issue.

“Not only is the government allowing another dirty coal mine to be built, they are promising to fund it with taxpayer dollars. Everyone here agrees the Turnbull Government must stop the $1 billion dollar loan. This mine must not proceed.” The Australian Conservation Foundation is also opposed to the mine.

“It is astounding that our elected representatives are bending over backwards to give Adani preferential treatment to help it build a massive dirty coal mine that will threaten our Great Barrier Reef,” president Geoff Cousins said.

“And it is crazy the Turnbull Government is now considering a billion dollar handout to help Adani build it. The Turnbull Government must stop the loan and not let this mine go ahead.”

The Queensland government is defending the mine project, saying it will create thousands
of jobs.