BY BRIDGET GUNN
Two Wonnarua Aboriginal elders have been arrested in a peaceful roadside protest in Bulga.
The protest was against the proposed expansion of the coal mine in Bulga, which would destroy many sites of Aboriginal and European cultural heritage, and would have a large impact on the residents of Bulga.
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| Source: ABC News |
Rob McLaughlin from Bulga says the proposed expansion would destroy the endangered woodland and the Wallaby Scrub Road, part of the Great North Road.
"They are going to destroy a world unique, critically endangered Warkworth Sands Woodland, along with the Wallaby Scrub Road, which is part of the Great North Road, built back in the 1820's."
According to McLaughlin, the residents of Bulga are not going down without a fight.
"Rio Tinto don't know whats hit them," he says.
"The people of Bulga are firm in our resolve, we will be there every day. It is part of our European history and we are not giving up.
"If they need to get the police out every day, they will have to."
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Wackworth mine pit aerial
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald |
The Lock the Gate Alliance Inc Facebook page has received a huge amount of support,with over 60,000 responses.
McLaughlin believes that this is because the public is realising the full national scope of the governments control in issues such as that in Bulga.
"It's not just about this little tiny place called Bulga, it's a bigger question. It's about peoples rights in New South Wales to protect their environment and their homes."
For more information see https://www.facebook.com/Lock.The.Gate.Alliance/
