Rally against development

Issue 

Rally against development

By Edward Johnstone

BRISBANE — Fifty people gathered in Boundary Street, West End here on February 26 to protest against Bristram and the construction of a bridge connecting West End with St Lucia. The rally was organised by the Kurilpa Protection Society.

Kurilpa Protection Society president Brian Laver, who is standing as an anarchist candidate for mayor in the March 25 Brisbane City Council election, accused the Labor state government and council administration of being in league with Brisbane developers. They plan to drive light rail through West End and ultimately funnel road traffic through the West End peninsula, via the bridge, to St Lucia, he said.

Aboriginal community leader Sam Watson reminded those attending of the past purpose of Boundary Street. "Any Aboriginal person who was seen after dusk on the northern side of Boundary Street would be shot by the troopers", he said. Watson implored the crowd to continue the fight against inappropriate development in West End which, he said, threatened a modern-day exclusion of Aboriginal people from the area.

John Tracey, a community independent candidate for the Dutton Park ward in the March 25 elections, spoke of the need to defend the last remaining area of city bushland at Hill End from development.

Democratic Socialist candidate for Dutton Park Graham Matthews also addressed the crowd, blaming Labor council and state governments for the threat to the local community. He said the reason the Democratic Socialists were running in the election was to "foster the building of a workers' political alternative to Labor."

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.