Reef Groundings & Coal Ship Protests in the Greenpeace Spotlight

Greenpeace says coal ship groundings on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland could become more frequent if planned expansions of coal terminals go ahead. Meanwhile, charges against Greenpeace over a coal port protest last year have been dropped and a photo exhibition, which is about to do the rounds, documents the occupation of two coal export terminals in Queensland. This can be seen in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney.

Two items by Melissa Maddison for ABC News (10 May 2010):

Charges against the international environmental organisation Greenpeace over a protest at the north Queensland coal port of Hay Point south of Mackay last year have been dropped.

Greenpeace was facing two charges related to one of its ships being in a navigational area without a pilot and the failure of the ship’s captain to notify the harbour master of its movements.

The charges were withdrawn in the Mackay Magistrates court on Monday morning due to insufficient evidence.

Greenpeace chief executive Linda Selvey says she is relieved.

“There would have been potential implications for both our charitable status and our ability to use ships for our important campaigning work,” she said.

The ship’s captain Vladamir Votiacov pleaded guilty to four maritime charges and was fined $8,000.

Greenpeace says coal ship groundings on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland could become more frequent if planned expansions of coal terminals go ahead.

Work is underway to double capacity at the Abbot Point terminal near Bowen, in the state’s north, to 100 million tonnes, but could be as high as 230 million tonnes based on demand.

Preliminary planning will start later this month on the next round of expansions at the Dalrymple Bay terminal south of Mackay.

Chief executive Linda Selvey says the grounding of the Shen Neng 1 last month should serve as a warning.

“We’ve seen from the Shen Neng that that can happen, that ships can collide in the Great Barrier Reef, with potential for very dramatic and terrible consequences for the reef and therefore also for Australia’s future,” Ms Selvey said.

“Esperanza – taking action” is a Greenpeace Photo Exhibition for Brisbane, Canberra & Sydney

This photo exhibition documents Greenpeace’s occupation of two coal export terminals in Queensland.

Photographer Belinda Pratten, Greenpeace CEO Linda Selvey and some of the activists involved will be on a Q&A panel.

Join us for an inspiring exhibition of photographs taken onboard Greenpeace ship, MV Esperanza.

Peaceful direct action is core to Greenpeace campaigns. But what actually happens as these actions unfold? And how do the activists feel when they’re on the frontline standing up for the environment?

Our photo exhibition, ‘Esperanza – taking action’, documents the occupation of the Hay Point and Abbot Point coal terminals in Queensland. These terminals are used to export polluting coal. While Prime Minister Rudd was leading the 2009 Pacific Island Forum in Cairns, Greenpeace activists called on him to stop expanding Australia’s coal exports and to reduce our emissions.

Political leaders worldwide are failing to provide a safe, renewable energy future. As a result, civil disobedience and peaceful direct actions demanding strong leadership on climate change are on the rise.

Photographer Belinda Pratten and some of the activists involved in Greenpeace’s actions at Hay Point and Abbot Point will join Greenpeace CEO, Linda Selvey, for a Q&A session.

Places are limited so please RSVP. Be sure to include the names of your guests.

Brisbane

Date: Thursday 20 May
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Speeches commence at 7pm
Location: Bleeding Heart Gallery (Old School of Arts building), 166 Ann Street Brisbane
RSVP: To Manuel Gomez or 02 9263 0333

Canberra

Date: Launches Friday 11 June
Time: 6pm – 8pm. Speeches commence at 6.30pm
Location: Huw Davies Gallery, PhotoAccess, Manuka Arts Centre, Manuka (Google Map)
RSVP: By Tuesday 7 June to Manuel Gomez or 02 9263 0333
The exhibition is free and open to the public from Saturday 12 June until Sunday 27 June. Opening times: Tuesday-Friday: 10 – 4pm. Saturday-Sunday: 12 – 4pm.

Sydney

Dates and venue to be advised.

Source: www.abc.net.au and www.greenpeace.org.au