Organisers say Climate Camp, which opens in Helensburgh today, will be a family-friendly festival and fears of trouble have been overblown.Up to 400 people are expected to camp at the three-day event, which is aimed at stopping the expansion of the Metropolitan Colliery.At the inaugural Australian Climate Camp in Newcastle last year, six activists were arrested for blocking a coal train.
SLIDESHOW: Climate Camp kicks off at Helensburgh Mine to operate despite Climate Camp protestHowever, organiser Jess Miller said the aim of the weekend was to inform and open debate."The whole idea of Climate Camp and what makes it quite different to a protest, is a large component of it is popular education," she said."There will be workshops and speakers from a range of backgrounds giving people a chance to ask questions. The idea of Climate Camp is to open up conversation. Anyone and everyone is welcome."If you're sceptical, come along. If you're working at the colliery and concerned about your job, come and ask questions."Ms Miller said there would be a range of entertainment, including children's activities and live music."Hopefully it will generate a bit of a festival atmosphere and create a sense of community," she said.Last week Wollongong police local area commander Superintendent Kyle Stewart announced there would be a strong police presence during the Helensburgh event, including members of the dog squad and officers from the public order and riot squad.Ms Miller said she believed this was unnecessary and a waste of police resources."I think the police are creating a bit of a storm in a teacup," she said. "There is a component of civil disobedience to Climate Camp, but it's done in a tradition of non-violent direct action. We're not in any way encouraging people to behave violently."
