Protests hit food irradiation plant

BY JIM McILROY

BRISBANE — Protesters picketed the initial stage of construction of the food irradiation plant at Narangba on June 13, forcing four trucks to turn back. The protesters have vowed to continue to picket the site, north of the city, to prevent the entry of heavy machinery.

The plant, owned by Steritech, is the first facility in Australia approved by the government for food irradiation. It will use rods of radioactive cobalt 60 in the sterilisation process. The plant is opposed by local residents and anti-nuclear groups.

"We intend to stop the development of this nuclear plant", Robyn Taubenfeld, spokesperson for Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future, told Green Left Weekly. "We want a total ban on the dangerous process of food irradiation in Australia, and ultimately to close down the entire nuclear industry in this country."

"We urge people to come and support us. We also call on people to demand that the Queensland Labor government take immediate action to stop this plant."

The protesters are calling on trade unions to ban the construction work by Statham Constructions.

Phone 0411 118 737 for more information or to get involved. A Bikes Against Nukes ride to the Narangba site at is planned for June 29, leaving King George Square, Brisbane, at 8.30am. For more information, phone Tali on (07) 3342 7294.

From Green Left Weekly, June 19, 2002.

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From GLW issue 496