Climate Camp activists slipped under the police radar yesterday, climbing over the Woronora Dam wall to hang a protest sign against coal mining.It was the group's first act of "non-violent civil disobedience", with a promise of more to come.
Climate Camp protest 'will not be violent' SLIDESHOW: Climate Camp kicks off at HelensburghPolice have assured that "appropriate action" would be taken against further trespassing and illegal acts.The second annual Climate Camp opened at Helensburgh yesterday, offering three days of sustainable living workshops and culminating tomorrow at 11am with a march and "peaceful direct action" at Metropolitan Colliery.The mine, owned by Peabody Energy subsidiary Helensburgh Coal, recently gained $50 million expansion approval from the NSW Government, extending its life by 20 years.Activists have expressed concern the expansion will destabilise Woronora Dam as well as adding to greenhouse gas emissions.In the lead-up to the camp, police said there would be a strong presence in the township to guard against a repeat of last year's event when six activists were arrested for blocking a coal train at Newcastle.Police operation Sugargum was launched at 6pm last night and police from throughout the southern police region, stretching as far south as Griffith, have been undergoing inductions at the 40ha Helensburgh mine site.Security fences have been erected around the perimeter while guards stand watch.Police operations centre spokesman Detective Chief Inspector Danny Sharkey said measures were being taken to ensure peace prevailed and trespassers were deterred."One of our concerns is that they will try to get on to the site of the colliery in areas that are quite dangerous. The stockpile area, for example, is quite unstable and could bring thousands of tonnes of coal on top of them," Chief Insp Sharkey said."The police are concerned that some of the more militant protesters may try to gain access to the colliery and, while in there, cause themselves an injury."We're all about facilitating peaceful protest - we haven't got a problem with that. But it is an offence to trespass and police will take appropriate action."Activists trespassed on Sydney Water property during the afternoon, abseiling Woronora Dam wall to display the sign "Water not coal" to demonstrate concerns about drinking water as a result of mining."It was done in the spirit of the camp and there will be more to follow," said spokeswoman Jess Miller."It's non-violent direct action that's making a pretty strong point, breaking little laws but not what police are making out - loutish, drunken behaviour."Chief Insp Sharkey said that had police been present at the dam, "appropriate action" would have been taken. He warned against similar acts."If they had fallen, it would have been the police who would have had to risk their own lives to rescue them," he said.The camp is expected to attract 400 people through the weekend, although police believe the figure may be closer to 1700.Rain and cold winds ensured early-bird campers on Rex Jackson Oval were in short supply, with only about 80 people present by the afternoon.
