Arrests at Narangba site

BY NICOLE HOYE

BRISBANE — Construction of Steritech's food irradiation facility
at Narangba has resumed after police broke a protest picket on August 13.
No work had been done at the site since 200 people picketed on August 7.

The August 13 picket was called in response to news that trucks would
be moving in on that day. From 6am, protesters surrounded the construction
site and blocked every entrance. Police tried to negotiate on behalf of
the Statham Construction.

At midday, as several trucks approached the site, police ordered the
picketers off the site. Some people then chained themselves to the gates.
Others attempted to blockade the road.

Police used unnecessary force to remove the picketers and at least seven
people were arrested. Once police had broken up the protest, the trucks
entered the site. Soon after, the concrete foundation for the plant was
poured.

The next day, a vehicle crashed into a power pole, cutting electricity
to the construction site. Energex workers are refusing to repair the lines
because the electrical and plumbing division of the Communications, Electrical
and Plumbing Union has placed industrial bans on the construction.

The protest camp across the road from the site continues to be maintained.
Phone 0411 118 737 or email <stopfialliance@yahoo.com.au>
to get involved.

From Green Left Weekly, August 21, 2002.

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From GLW issue 505