Anger over vandalism
A ROCK face that was vandalised by Stop Adani protesters has offended a traditional owner while leaving the Bowen community reeling with frustration.
Graffiti was spotted over the weekend on a large rock along the Bruce Highway, about 500m north of the West Euri Creek turn- off.
An artist has since painted a kangaroo over the graffiti.
The incident followed a week of protest action that included protesters chaining themselves to a rail line.
Juru traditional owner Gary Prior said it was a hypocritical move from the protesters.
“They’re contaminating our environment by using paint on our rocks, it’s just pollution and it’s hypocritical,” he said.
“They say they’re going to protect our environment.”
Mr Prior said Bowen’s landscapes were unique and diverse.
“It’s all part of Juru country,” he said.
“They wouldn’t like it if I went down and spray painted their buildings and their little gardens they have in their back yards.
“I’m extremely disappointed that they would stoop to those levels. “I’m offended. “I would say a lot of Juru descendants would be offended by this act and disappointed.
“When I drive along the country and I see people spraying their initials over rocks – it’s just not right.”
Dawson MP George Christensen called the protesters “absolute numb nuts”.
“They reckon they’re for the environment and yet go and vandalise rocks like that,” he said. “There are trees all over Bowen with anti- Adani signs that have been nailed into them.
“On top of that, dozens of the great unwashed managed to traipse all over turtle nesting sites on Bowen beaches last week.
“For greenies, they’ve done more damage to the local environment that most have seen in a long time.”
Labor’s Burdekin candidate Mike Brunker said the graffiti was visual pollution.
“They reckon they care about the environment but there’s Stop Adani stickers all over public infrastructure,” he said.
“It will cost the council thousands to remove it.
“They’ve also painted on the road, they’ve written Stop Adani on the bitumen.
“The locals aren’t going to put up with them.
“They’ve worn welcome.” out their