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Volume 9, Wednesday, June 27, 2012
n c e e r e ff i D A e k a M d locally an
2012 Roxby Community Postie Bash success
General Manager for Transpacific, Roger Schmakeit enjoyed the 2012 Roxby Community Postie Bash last weekend.
Lizard’s Revenge A
By Jason Munn
n upcoming anti-uranium protest festival known as Lizard’s Revenge has attracted wide-spread concern throughout the Roxby Downs community.
Organizers say the event, to be held from July 14 to 18, aims to send a message to the world calling for the closure of the Olympic Dam mine and to protest against the use of nuclear power. Named Lizards Revenge to represent a dreamtime story about a lizard beneath the earth with poison in its stomach, the protest will include a festival of music involving musicians and artists from across Australia. Roxby Downs Police Senior Sergeant Terry Boylan said residents should not be overly concerned about what may or may not occur. “Roxby Downs police will be working exclusively within the township of Roxby Downs to ensure the safety of both the protestors, the public, and businesses should the protestors come to the actual town area.” Information suggested the protestors would not enter the town apart from small groups gathering day to day supplies. “I’ve attended and spoken to the Business Forum in the town and have approached the Roxby Downs Council and other community organisations about possible things they can expect. “I can reassure the community that there will be more than adequate resources provided by SAPOL and other organisations to ensure that people are safe and are able to go about their
normal business throughout the time.” Senior Sergeant Boylan urged the community of Roxby Downs to contact the Roxby Downs police and speak to them directly if they happen to find any information beyond that already available on the Lizard’s Revenge official site and Facebook websites. Roxby Downs Administrator, Bill Boehm, said, “Council understands that the act of organised protests against the Olympic Mine has been a feature of the development of Roxby Downs since its inception. “However, the size and frequency of ongoing protests has declined markedly over the years.” Mr Boehm said it appears the establishment of detention centres in Woomera and Baxter near Port Augusta attracted a range of protest groups which would have traditionally come to Olympic Dam. “From past experience it appears that most of the protest action revolves around the mines operation with minimal direct impact on the Roxby Downs township.” Mr Boehm said protestors have ventured into the town on some occasions and have expressed their views in what has generally appeared to be in a peaceful manner. “Any incidence of undesirable behaviour within the township has been at a minimum and local community folk have generally equally respected their right to protest. “Council is aware that some in the community may be apprehensive, for it is some years since Roxby was at the centre of a protest. However, in the past the local community have reacted
in a tolerant manner and this is what should be the norm.” BHP Billiton has taken precautionary measures by requesting some contractors not be on site during the festival. A letter to employees signed by Asset President Stefan Buys on June 1 said BHP Billiton was working closely with SAPOL to ensure the protest was managed safely, and employees were advised not to engage with the protestors in the lead up to, or during the event. Roxby Downs Area School (RDAS) Principal, Kath Macalister, addressed the issue in a letter to parents and caregivers stating that the school will remain open and will work with police to ensure students are safe at all times. Lizard’s Revenge’s, Izzy Brown, said the protest is a peaceful movement with no intentions of frightening anybody, especially the residents of Roxby Downs. “We will give all attendants a hand book which advises them of appropriate and peaceful behavior as well as information on the issues,” Ms Brown said. “Anybody who commits a violent offence will be dealt with by the appropriate laws - we are a peaceful movement and do not tolerate violence from each other, the community or the police and will take legal action against perpetrators of violence whoever they are. We will have lawyers and peace keepers present.” Roxby Downs’ residents who experienced earlier protests have expressed some concern about what may happen during the festival. Continued Page 2...