Protester at Adani worksite charged

A WOMAN who allegedly locked herself on to machinery at an Adani worksite has been charged.

Queensland Police were called to Gregory Developmental Rd, 180km north of Clermont, about 6.30am yesterday to reports of an anti-Adani protest.

One of the women in the 20-strong Frontline Action on Coal protest group allegedly locked herself on to a drill rig that was being used in geotechnical surveys for Adani’s rail line.

The 33-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Clermont where she was charged with contravening a direction.

She is due to appear in Clermont Magistrates Court on September 17.

An Adani spokeswoman criticised the protesters for again attempting to “prevent our Queensland contractors from getting on with the job”.

“Approximately 20 anticoal protesters have arrived on the rail construction site this morning – about 180 kilometres north of Clermont in Central Queensland,” she said. “Anti-coal protesters are illegally attempting to stop workers from safely conducting approved construction works on the rail line.

“The Queensland Police Service have been notified and are responding.

“Construction activities on the mine continue despite this latest protester activity. Everyone has the right to their opinions, however there are legal and safe methods of expressing them.”

A police spokesman said: “The QPS acknowledges the right to lawful and peaceful protest and is committed to working with groups to facilitate protest through lawful activities.

“However unlawful activity posing a risk to the safety of individuals or the disruption of services or operations lawfully undertaken by business will not be tolerated by the QPS.”

It comes 10 days after protesters, also from Frontline Action on Coal, suspended themselves from 9m poles in order to block machinery at the Carmichael mine worksite.