Council’s Adani ban ‘not about ideology’

DEPUTY Mayor Chris Cherry has defended Tweed Shire Council black-listing construction companies linked to the contentious Adani Carmichael coal mine in Central Queensland.

Cr Cherry said the council’s ban was “not a decision based on ideologies”.

Instead, she said the decision was “based on limiting council’s financial risk”.

“My continued support for this position is based on making financially responsible decisions for Council,” she said.

“It would appear the Carmichael mine project is financially extremely vulnerable.

“The fact that a large proportion of our community are ideologically opposed to the Carmichael mine and the predicted damage it may have on Australia’s greatest tourism asset, the Great Barrier Reef, is not the basis for my support for our procurement limitation on civil construction companies.”

Cr Cherry often votes as part of the so-called ‘Rainbow Four’, alongside progressive Tweed councillors Reece Byrnes, Ron Cooper and Mayor Katie Milne.

Last year, they led a vote 4-3 in favour of changing the council’s procurement policy.

Currently, civil construction companies must disclose any direct contractual agreement for construction or operation purposes with Adani while applying for tender.

Those which have worked on the Indian multinational’s coal mine are ineligible for council projects.

But it’s expected outspoken LNP councillor James Owen will put forward a rescission motion at Thursday’s council meeting.

Cr Cherry said the council’s position certainly did not affect all procurement processes.

It affects civil construction companies and Cr Cherry said there was “very few companies in the Tweed that are actually impacted by this position”.