BY ANDY GIANNIOTIS
WOLLONGONG — A proposal to unite the different threads of environmental action in the Illawarra into one "super-group" was adopted unanimously at a public meeting at Macabe Park on March 19.
Organised by the Illawarra Escarpment Coalition, more than 100 people gathered to hear representatives of seven local environment groups speak about current ecological issues in the region, which include a new development threat to Macabe Park itself.
The Surfrider Foundation's Mark Spence, also a member of the Greens, proposed the formation of the Illawarra Environment Coalition, arguing, "They think that we're stupid and attack us one by one".
Earlier, Olive Rodwell, representing Illawarra Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE), had described how the state Labor government had used fear of unemployment as a club to beat down any opposition to the Port Kembla copper smelter. "We are not dying for jobs", she exclaimed.
Emotions ran high at the meeting; one man even called for an immediate march up the street before being gently reminded that everyone had another demonstration to attend that afternoon, at the Port Kembla copper smelter.
Two hundred people attended the Port Kembla Mourning Festival that afternoon to mourn the loss of clean air. Christine Vliestra from a victorious anti-strapping mill group urged everyone to keep fighting. She pointed out, "Calls for unity in action demonstrate the viability of uniting in a coalition".
Environment groups say they are gearing up for May Day activities and further actions against the Port Kembla copper smelter.