4th September 2003

An activist locked himself on to a bulldozer for 6 hours yesterday holding up major landclearing in the controversial Hunter Economic Zone at Tomalpin. "Friends of Tumblebee" members and other residents stood in front of the bulldozer while the 22 year old activist "locked on" through the caterpillar tracks.

At the same time, in Sydney, an emergency injunction in the Land & Environment Court was being lodged to stop the clearing of endangered species. At about 4 pm Cessnock Councillor, Claire Cosh announced "agreement has been reached for a partial clearing to be carried out that will not endanger wildlife".

"This has won us time to prepare for a full injunction to be heard in a week. We need job creation projects, but I believe there is no evidence this proposed destruction of bushland is going to provide employment opportunities for our residents," Cr Cosh said.

James Ryan, spokesperson for the Friends of Tumblebee, said "We believe the Construction Certificate, as well as the original consent for a road here is invalid. We particularly wish to challenge the approval given by Cessnock Council to this project. So now we have won a week, until Thursday, to prepare a challenge at a full hearing of our injunction until the case can be formally heard later."

Text ref: Maitland Mercury.