Protesters resist test drilling at Beeliar Wetlands

Protesting test drilling at Beeliar Wetlands

Standing up against Roe8

Posted by Green Left Weekly on Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A very heavy police presence has greeted protesters who have taken a stand against test drilling in the Beeliar Wetlands at the site of the Roe 8 freeway extension.

"I think the community reaction today was amazing considering it was without an official call out," Socialist Alliance member Seamus Doherty (pictured) told Green Left.

"It started out at 40 people and grew from there to be over 100 people."

Community members and families including Aboriginal people have surrounded where the test drilling has begun, according to Green Left's Zeb Parkes. However police - including mounted police - have been keeping people out.

The protesters have been given permission to protest by Aboriginal elders.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett stood on the front lines in support of community action. He said that a court case is underway and that the drilling is potentially illegal.

Eventually some test drills were conducted by Main Road personnel surrounded by police. Protesters

Meanwhile, a white elephant - symbolising the uselessness of Roe 8 and the Perth Freight Link project - is due to be delivered to state parliament.

The action follows a major rally of several thousand that took place in Bibra Lakes on November 22.



[This article by Alex Bainbridge first appeared in Green Left online 24 November 2015. Photos and video by Zeb Parkes.]