A Dapto grandmother has been arrested after chaining herself by the neck to the front gate of Russell Vale mine on Tuesday morning, in a bid to block trucks full of coal from leaving for Port Kembla.
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Sam Noonan was supported by about seven members of the action group Stop Russell Vale Mine, who turned up dressed in Santa and Christmas elf costumes.
"I am here, I've got a neck lock, locked onto this gate, which we have shut for however long as we can keep it shut, because we're facing a climate and ecological emergency and our government is doing nothing about it and insisting on expanding coal mines," Mrs Noonan said.
Police arrived at the scene about 10.30am and issued a move-on notice, which all protesters allegedly complied with except Mrs Noonan.
Officers from the police rescue unit then cut the woman's neck lock using bolt cutters and escorted her into the back of a police van.
The Christmas-themed action - which included tinsel and an inflatable reindeer - was the latest in a series of community protests held in response to the controversial approval of the mine's extension by state and federal governments two months ago.
Stop Russell Vale Mine spokesman Gem Romuld said the group is out to make it clear to Wollongong Coal and South32 that they are "on our naughty list this Christmas".
"The Russell Vale Mine expansion was the first approved after the Sharma Case, which found the Federal Environment Minister has a duty to protect young people from the devastating impacts of climate change," she said.
"The Illawarra community has fought hard for years against the expansion of coal mines in this region.
"In the last week we have seen South32's Dendrobium Mine granted State Significant Infrastructure status, in an effort to push through approval for a terribly destructive mine with significant community opposition.
"Santa brings Christmas cheer to children worldwide - he's here today stopping coal to ensure children have happy Christmases in a safe climate for generations to come."
More to come.
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