food irradiation watch

food irradiation - unsafe:unwanted:unnecessary

Narangba campaign 2002 -

imgLocal residents first discovered Steritech Pty Ltd’s plan to build a nuclear irradiation facility at Narangba, 30 minutes drive north of Brisbane, in 1999. The proposed plant has a design capacity of 3.5 million curies of radioactivity, using highly radioactive Cobalt 60 rods. It is currently being constructed in the Narangba Industrial Estate, designated for “Noxious, Hazardous & Offensive" industries. There are residential suburbs surrounding this estate. This plant will be the first in Australia to irradiate food on a massive scale.

The Stop Food Irradiation Alliance ran a highly visible campaign to hinder the establishment of the nuclear industy in Queensland.

Despite the State Labour Government's avowed anti-nuke policy platform, the Beattie Government allowed the Steritech corporation to open their doors in mid 2003. But not without a fight...

Narangba: Steritech Nuclear Irradiation facility -opened June 2003

Radioactive Material Arrives at Narangba - Call for Action

Monday 4th August - Fast Against Food Irradiation

fastFast Participants Arrive in Narangba from their National Tour 4th August, 12 noon Steritech Nuclear Irradiation Facility, Narangba Industrial Estate, Qld

Fast Against Food Irradiation - 23 July to 4 August

ACTION - Mon 4th Aug, 12 noon, Steritech Nuclear Irradiation Facility

In response to Steritech becoming operational a group of concerned individuals have started a Fast Against Food Irradiation. Group representatives are from Qld, NSW, SA and WA. Fasters will arrive at Narangba from their national tour on the 4th August at 12 noon. Lot 14, Potassium Street, Narangba Industrial Estate, Deception Bay, Qld. How to get there: 30 mins north from Brisbane, take Boundary Rd exit left off Bruce Hwy, turn left onto Boundary St, right into Old Gympie Rd at roundabout then right into Frawley Ave which runs into Potassium Street. Lifts available from Narangba train station or to get a lift - contact numbers 0411 118 737 or 0405 092 445.

"The group will be fasting for the entire journey to highlight the dangers of eating food that has been exposed to radioactive material" fast spokesperson said. Hook up with the Fast crew in your State and visit your local nuclear irradiation facility.

Fast contact number 0415 926 073 or Brisbane base contact 0405 092 445. Fast Against Food Irradiation Calendar: July: Wed 23rd - Last meal on the steps of Parliament House, Canberra Sat 26 - Melbourne Sun 27 - Dandenong, Vic Irradiation Facility Tue 29 - Wollongong Wed 30 - Sydney Thurs 31 - Sydney Irradiation Facility at Wetherill Park August: Fri 1 - Newcastle Sat 2 - Coffs Harbour Sun 3 - Byron Bay Mon 4 - Brisbane, Narangba Irradiation Facility

Wednesday 6th August - Rally at Qld Health

We Demand Qld Health Urgently Revoke Steritech's Radioactive License!

Enter the Miss Cobalt 60 Beauty Pageant!

6th August (Hiroshima Day), 4pm Qld Health, 147 Charlotte St, Brisbane City

Then meet up with Hiroshima Day Rally in King George Square at 5pm

Radioactive Material (Cobalt 60) Arrives at Narangba!

ACTION - Wed 6th Aug, 4pm Qld Health, 147 Charlotte St, Brisbane City

Enter the Miss Cobalt 60 Beauty Pageant, wear Cobalt blue - National Finals to be held in early 2004

Call on the Health Minister, Wendy Edmonds, to urgently revoke Steritech's radioactive license as there is no disaster planning in place in the event of a radiological accident.

Despite no disaster planning and against the wishes of the local and broader Australian community, radioactive material (Cobalt 60) was delivered to Steritech's nuclear irradiation facility in the early hours of the morning on Friday 18th July.

40 rods of highly radioactive Cobalt 60 were delivered by road from Sydney (imported from Canada). The rods curie level (amount of radioactivity) is 500,000 curies. The facility has the capacity to hold a further 3,000,000 curies. To give some comparison a blood bank holds a lot less at about 4,000.

"We certainly wouldn't let the public sit on it!" Qld Health Minister, Ms Wendy Edmond response to questions about disaster planning. Wendy's response to feeding irradiated food to school children ' "It's just wonderful."

When an expert in the field was consulted in the United States that Steritech's facility had a design capacity of 3.5 million curies, he was completely shocked and mentioned that irradiation facilities of that size are not allowed in the US.

July 18th 2003

Cobalt-60 loaded in Narangba's nuclear irradiation plant

protestThe first shipment of nuclear material, cobalt-60 rods, was delivered to Steritech's food irradiation plant this morning, July 18th, at 4am.

General manager of Steritech, George West, confirmed that the container being unloaded today contained the nuclear material.

An unusually large number of security personal were also at the plant during this operation. However what they would have done in had an accident occurred is unclear, since the operation went without a formal disaster plan being created.

So the nuclear rods were driven through narangba streets without any warning to residents, with no disaster plan in place, and while many anti-nuclear activists were away, attending the national anti-nuclear camp at Silverton, NSW. http://www.nukefreegathering.org/

With the cobalt-60 rods now in storage on the irradiation plant site, at Lot 12 Potassium st, Narangba, the Queensland government is clear to grant Steritech's final licence to operate this facility.

July 2003 Update

1. Qld Health grant Steritech radioactive licensing - protest letter attached
2. Meeting with emergency response authorities reveal no disaster response plans - Qld Health should revoke license
3. Courier Mail article reveals corruption within the Narangba Industrial Estate
4. Steritech opening action reportback
5. Irradiated food in United States schools - could it happen here?
6. Anti-nuclear Gathering 14-18 July

1. Radioactive License given green light by Qld Health - send in protest letter
1. Qld Health recently granted nuclear facility owner Steritech P/L their license, on the 30th June, to possess radioactive material (Cobalt 60). Approval came only the day prior to Steritech's reported opening on the 1st July. Coincidential timelines raise serious concerns over Qld Health's ability to remain neutral.

2. No disaster response plans for Steritech nuclear facility - license should be revoked.

The community is calling on Qld Health to revoke Steritech's license as no disaster planning is in place. A community initiated meeting on the 11th July between emergency services and the community revealed that there are still no disaster plans for the nuclear facility despite Qld Health's license approval and the reported opening. The Qld Police Service informed the meeting that they are compiling a draft plan which has not been signed off yet. This plan will NOT be available to the public when and if completed. Authories simply do not know the extent of the disaster responses as there still has been no risk hazard assessment conducted.

The Caboolture Shire Council are refusing to adapt their counter disaster plan to cater for an accident at the facility even though they are required under State law. The Council representative Mr John Hall did not even know who the lead agency was in the event of an accident - the lead agency is Qld Health who declined to attend the meeting. Qld Health is also responsible for monitoring the facility when in operation, however when it comes to monitoring the community have little faith in Qld Health as they missed 396 audits in one year.

3. Courier Mail article reveals allegations of corruption links to Narangba Industrial Estate

The article reads 'Long-serving Labor MP Ken Hayward's business interest swirl about like the odours floating around the industrial estate which is the site of the chemcial factory linked to his family.' Binary Chemcials is in the Narangba Industrial Estate. The Crime and Midcounduct Commission has been ordered to investigate Mr Haywards business affairs. www.thecouriermail.com.au.

Steritech's nuclear irradiation facility is located in the same industrial estate. This estate has been a constant environmental and health hazard to the community, for example, a report conducted in 2002 by the Caboolture Shire Council and the Environmental Protection Agency found that almost every site inspected presented some degree of environmental risk. This included inappropriate storage of drums of oil and chemicals.

ACTION: If you have any information pertaining to Mr Haywards interests in the Estate please email details to insightunit@hotmail.com

4. Action at Steritech's opening a success

The community rallied outside the Steritech facility at Lot 14, Potassium St, Deception Bay on the 1st July. This day was reported as the opening by Steritech's CEO George West in a local newspaper. A mock opening was held and the community ready with a box of fruit for irradiating to highlight that Steritech is aleady irradiating food at existing facilities and have interests in developing food irradiation within Australia. Placards read "license to kill". The article was also covered on radio, tv and print.

5. Irradiated food to be fed to school children in the US

USDA IGNORES WIDE-SPREAD OPPOSITION APPROVES IRRADIATED FOOD FOR SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, WILL BECOME LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR IN THE WORLD

wenonahWENONAH HAUTER, PUBLIC CITIZEN CRITICAL MASS ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM: Despite thousands of comments to the federal government from parents, teachers and children nationwide opposing irradiated meat in the National School Lunch Program (91% of those commenting were against it), the government today ignored the will of its constituents and approved the use of irradiation for the federal nutrition program. By offering schools the option of purchasing irradiated meat for school lunches, which feed 27 million children each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could become the largest distributor of irradiated food in the world.

Beginning in January 2004, children who participate in the federal program will become guinea pigs in a government experiment that has neglected parental concerns and disregarded numerous studies that show the potentially harmful health effects of eating irradiated food. This horrendous decision benefits the meat industry at the expense of society's most vulnerable citizens --- our children. Approving irradiated meat for school cafeterias nationwide means the USDA is willing to put our children's health at risk to help cover up the meat industry's sanitation failures. Prioritizing industry's influence over the safety of those it feeds is not just a bad decision --- it is an error in moral judgment.

Because federal law does not require labeling of irradiated food served in schools, restaurants, hospitals and similar venues, irradiated meat served in school cafeterias need not be labeled. This makes it impossible for parents to know what school cafeterias are feeding their children and is a blatant violation of parents' right to know.

More importantly, the children most likely to eat food purchased through the school lunch program are from lower-income families who cannot afford to send their children to school with homemade lunches. These children must depend on food provided by government nutrition programs. If irradiated meat ends up on their lunch trays at schools, they don't have the option of refusing it.

Irradiation is not an acceptable antidote for food safety problems. From strengthening government meat inspection to addressing the appalling disrepair in many school cafeterias, there is much that should be done to improve the safety of food served to our nation's children at school. But using the purchasing power of the federal government to bail out a struggling industry and serving this questionable product to children have no place in a sensible food safety plan.

THE AGRIBUSINESS EXAMINER May 30, 2003, Issue #252
Monitoring Corporate Agribusiness From a Public Interest Perspective

ACTION: Contact your children's school or Teacher's Union with your concerns. Ask them to form policy opposing the sale of irradiated foods in schools.

6. Anti-nuclear gathering 14-18th July, Broken Hill, NSW. Food irradiation will be on the agenda of the upcoming anti-nuclear gathering at Broken Hill, NSW. For more information visit www.nukefreegathering.org

Some interesting Comments by Steritech CEO George West:

"Unfortunately for Steritech, the medical manufacturing industry went into severe decline in the early nineties, with most of the medical manufacturers relocating off shore. Consequently, we had to find other things to irradiate and in this task we have been very successful. Currently only 45% of all throughput is medical related, five years ago this was 80%.

"Food irradiation is established in many countries around the world but has still to be approved here in Australia."

"Meanwhile, responding to pressure from the Codex Commission and concerned that Australia might end up at the World Trade Organisation Appeals Court for refusing entry to irradiated food from overseas, AQIS has agreed to a trial to approve irradiated food for export to a country which has already approved food irradiation and the process complies with Codex Standards and Guidelines."

George West - Symposium, November 1998. http://www.atse.org.au/publications/symposia/proc-1998p16.htm

Narangba BBQ Breakfast Saturday June 14th: Come up to the site of the protest camp and celebrate a year of Community action! Bring ya groove thangs! 14 Pottasium St, Narangba Industrial Estate, Deception Bay

New! - Campaign Photo Gallery

jake

Narangba Update April, 2003

1. Community Protest Camp closure 6th March - police made to look like fools.
2. Ratioactive license - Send in your letter of concern.
3. Rally for Peace - 13th April Palm Sunday.
4. Food Irradiation postcard.

 

1. Community Protest Camp Closure - Qld Gov reminiscent of Joh Bjeike Petterson Era Furnished with shields, batons, horses and motocross bikes, 100 police officers raided the Camp only to find 3 sleepy local residents hundled around the campfire. The camp, known as 'Deception Castle' was busted just before daylight on the 6th March. One week prior Qld Police Minister Tony McGrady told parliament that he was prepared to use heavy machinery to remove protesters from the lock-on devices inside the so-called bunkers, putting the protestors lives at risk. However, police and the state government were left red-faced as Deception Castle lived up to its name as upon their arrival no bunkers were to be found.

The community was bewildred by the excessive police action as only the day before the police declined the communities offer for a a peaceful solution to the eviction situtation.

The attack by the Qld Government on the Camp is reminiscent of the Joh era and is an attempt to focus attention away from the key issues - the nuclear plant and Labor's blatant disregard for its own party platform which prohibit nuclear irradiation plants in Qld - have once again backfired. Campaigners have successfully pointed out that the danger lies not with protesters or within the Camp but across the road at the nuclear plant site and the irradiation of food.

Protesters at the Camp have repeatedly stated they would leave the camp if the following demands were met:

1) an environmental impact assessment of the nuclear irradiation plant and the Narangba Industrial Estate

2) an open investigation into the cracks in the walls of the plants radiation containment chamber

3) a halt to work on the plant

For 8 months the Camp stood directly opposite the construction site and developed from a circle of couches and tents to a artistic castle facade. It was a strong sign of community opposition to the nuclear plant. Its closure has further strengthened the community's resolve to oppose the plant. Camp or no camp, campaigners are committed to taking action here and around Australia that will see the end of Steritech and food irradiation.

To voice your concerns about the removal of the camp and/or the development of the nuclear plant:

Premier Beattie 3224 4500 the premier@premiers.qld.gov.au

Health Minister Wendy Edmond 3368 3208 Health@ministerial.qld.gov.au

Police Minister Tony McGrady 3239 0199

2. Radioactive Licensing

Steritech's license to use, transport and store the radioactive material (Cobalt-60) is still pending with Qld Health. Qld Health have admitted that the public are raising concerns that they hadn't thought of. By forwarding them your letter of concern will keep up the pressure.

TAKE ACTION: Write to Health Minister Wendy Edmond 3368 3208 Health@ministerial.qld.gov.au

3. Rally for Peace, Human Rights and Justice - Palm Sunday 13th April 1pm - King George Square, rally and march. The Stop Food Irradiation Alliance will have an information stall at the rally - come and say hello. We also have a range of tshirts available.

4. Food Irradiation Avantcard sponsored card
The campaign recently distributed 14,000 Avantcard sponsored postcards in Qld, Tas., Vic., NSW and SA with the aim of increasing public awareness on food irradiation and Narangba. The card also provide an avenue for public response. We have received hundreds of returned cards which will be forwarded to the Qld Premier and also to the federal health minister. Thank you to all those who submitted their card and welcome to the campaign email list.

19th March, 2003
Help local picket of State Development to stop the Nuclear Plant

truckOn Wednesday 19th March 2003 at 1.30 pm there will be a Narangba Industrial Estate Reference Group Meeting to be held at Nationwide Oils Pty Ltd 26 - 32 Potasium Street, Narangba. The local people intend holding a picket outside this meeting as State Development has a representative at this meeting and so does the police.

The locals intend handing a video to State Development and Police clearly showing that the Bikes still go on state Development land even though Maurice Harvey told me that we cannot go on this land. Discrimination I believe.

Also the Steritech Irradiation Plant COMMUNITY REFERENCE Group Meeting will now be held on Tuesday 25 the March at 5.30 pm. We intend gathering up there anytime from 4.15 on. We have lots of banners and so we hope to have lots at the gathering. We hope to see you at both of these events as we need the Government & Council to know that we are still fighting this project and fighting as a united team. We have had two successful pickets since the camp raid - on Friday on Steritech footpath - 5 police cars and two paddy wagons turned up. And again on Saturday outside McDonalds on Deception Bay Road. Both were very successful. More pickets will happen over the next few weeks.

- Fran Jell

6th March, 2003

Police 'overkill' as protest camp evicted

After two months of deliberations police moved in this morning to shut down the protest camp at Narangba.

Reports are that up to 80 police arrived at the camp this morning and were confronted with only three people at the camp.

The three including two locals were sitting around the fire, and left when asked to leave.

The police did not find any holes, tunnels or lock ons which they had reported as a safety concern and reason to move the camp on.

Currently the structure of the castle is being dismantled and a fence erected around the area.

Below are 2 MEDIA releases regarding March 6 closure of community protest camp at Narangba From Deception Castle - camp statement and East Narangba Community Action Group & Stop Food Irradiation Alliance

1) DECEPTION CASTLE Media Release –

March 6 2003

Police move on Narangba Community Protest camp – but Deception Castle has last laugh

After nearly 2 months of deliberation, police have acted on State Development threats to evict the Narangba Community Protest Camp located opposite the construction site of the Steritech nuclear irradiation plant.

Despite over three years of community campaigning against the proposed irradiation plant, the issue has been virtually ignored by State Parliament. Last month (Feb.24), however, saw the issue finally raised by Police Minister Tony McGrady when he brought up concern over the safety of protesters occupying a number of bunkers dug into the campgrounds.

Police and State Government were left red-faced today as Deception Castle lived up to its name. In an early morning raid, approximately 100 police officers arrived to find no dangers posed in the camp. A handful of locals were cheerfully sitting by the campfire. No bunkers were to be found.

Government attempts to focus attention away from the key issues - the nuclear plant and Labor’s blatant disregard for its own party platform prohibiting nuclear irradiation plants in Queensland - have once again backfired. Campaigners have successfully pointed out that the danger lies not with protesters or within the camp but across the road at the nuclear plant site. The real danger to the community is a government who lies to its people and a nuclear plant that puts the safety of food and the public at risk.

Today’s closing of the community protest camp has further strengthened the community’s resolve to oppose the plant. Camp or no camp, campaigners are committed to taking action here and around Australia that will see the end of Steritech and food irradiation for once and for all.

2) STOP FOOD IRRADIATION ALLIANCE & EAST NARANGBA COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP MEDIA STATEMENT -

6th March 2003

bannerNARANGBA NUCLEAR PLANT PROTEST CAMP CLOSED

Reminiscent of the pre Fitzgerald days, Queensland Government have today stripped Queenslanders of their democratic right to protest.

Led by Senior Sergeant Crawford of Deception Bay Police, Police who have been undergoing specialised training in trench rescue at the Fire Brigade’s training centre at Fisherman’s Island and furnished with shields and batons, horses and motocross bikes were among the one hundred strong troop who moved in on three sleepy protesters at Deception Castle just before daylight today, that is 33 police for each protester.

It seems that this preparation was all in vain as there were no trenches, tunnels or holes to be found at the castle. One must now wonder why Senior Sergeant Crawford declined an offer to a peaceful solution to end the protest camp made by the community representative yesterday afternoon.

Officials obviously fear protesters may return to the camp as workers are now busy erecting a fence around the site and accommodation for a security guard has been erected. Machinery has been bought in which we expect will be used to demolish the castle.

Local businesses within the Industrial Estate are now anxious to see if the Police will expend the same energies to evict motocross riders who have regularly rendered havoc on the estate and have been the subject of complaints to the police for the past 3 years.

One must ask, what obscure objectives are driving this unwanted project? What hidden agenda does Queensland Government have compelling them to these extremes?

Local resident Frank Jell said “Any problems the authorities had with protesters was incited or instigated either, by Construction Workers or the Police”

"It is a great achievement that the community has maintained its protest camp almost 8 months, despite threats from workers and police and government attempts at legal action such as the recent case in the Supreme Court, " stated anti-nuclear campaigner Robin Taubenfeld.

"We are still demanding a Risk Hazard Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment, an investigation into the cracks in the radiation chamber, and a legislation of Queensland Labor party platform that says specifically that Labor will prohibit the establishments of nuclear irradiation plants in Queensland."

Queensland residents are maintaining their opposition to the nuclear irradiation plant and vow to continue their protests until the project is put to a halt.

Contact: Local resident Fran Jell, Community Action Group on 0403 573 038 Robin Taubenfeld on 0411 118 737 from Stop Food Irradiation Alliance

14th February, 2003
Government legal action against protester fails in Supreme Court

On February 14th, State Government action against anti-nuclear campaigner Robin Taubenfeld was thrown out of court by a Supreme Court Judge with the State Government being ordered to pay legal costs. The Department of State Development had attempted to take a representative action against Robin in hopes of winning an order to evict the community protest camp at Narangba. The action failed and no order for eviction was issued by the court.

Despite various threats by the government, the community protest camp has held its ground opposite the construction site of the Steritech nuclear irradiation facility for 8 months. It is a testament to the community's commitment to stopping nuclear development in the region and a strong statement against nuclear irradiation of food.

The outcome of the Supreme Court decision was also a civil liberates win. The Court sent out a clear signal that the government can not target individuals in the protest movements, pick them out and make them responsible for others.

The Stop Food Irradiation Alliance believes that rather than wasting government time and tax-payers money targeting individuals, the government should take "representative action" by representing the people. The people have shown clearly that they don't want a nuclear irradiation facility and they voted for a party whose platform states specifically that it will "prohibit the establishment" of such facilities.

The protest camp and the Supreme Court win are thorns in the side of the government which is letting its constituents down by going against its own platform and bringing nuclear industry to our region.

We believe that it is the company and the government who should be evicted. They have shown utter disrespect for the community, public safety, the environment, and for future generations. Recent video evidence of cracks in the plant's radiation chamber has been presented to the government. Rather than investigating, the government has attempted to evict the protest camp.

The government seems to believe it can quash the voice of dissent by using the legal system, intimidation tactics and threats to close the community camp. Their tactics, however, have only served to strengthen community resolve.

The community remains firm in its determination to shut down the Steritech nuclear irradiation plant at Narangba, close Steritech's existing facilities, and to achieve a ban on the irradiation of food in Australia.

5th February, 2003

Just half an hour from here, a Nuclear Facility is being built in the lovely area of Narangba. This facility will be used to irradiate medical equipment, teas, food, tampons etc.

Food Irradiation has been proven to be harmfull to humans and animals alike. There has been a wicked community protest camp set up over the last couple of months. Recently the Labour Goverment has become nervous about people pointing out they're fu##$ing over their own 'no nuclear irradiation'policy. In a facist act the goverment are singled out an an individual in the Supreme court for the WHOLE camp. http://brisbane.indymedia.org.au/front.php3?article_id=4218. The deciton will be handed down in the next couple of days.

Eviction is scheduled for Monday morning, February 10th. People are needed to protect the camp and to show the goverment that the community will not a accept a Nuclear Facility in our state!

In the leadup to monday morningh the community will come together in celebration 7-8-9 February. This festival is coming together of the local and brisbane communities who are concerned about nuclear irradiation and will reflect the diverse nature of those communities.

Sat day - punk/ska/hardcore/local bands,

Sat night- doof party incl activist hiphop, firetwirling performance, visual projections

Sunday all of the above + open decks, open mic, bring your own instruments. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME AND DO WHATEVER THEY DO

Electronic Audio technicians currently = Ova, Combat Wombat, Labrats, DJ Morphism, Scozbor, CY, Di Smiling, Re-Cycle, Funky Space Elf, Hexadecimal, Paul Abad

Band and Analogue technicians currently = DD, Oak, Superfist, Alljokesaside, Another Day Down, Half Way Out, Girls Germs, Pachooka

Visual technicians currently = Travelling Kaleidoscope, Candle Bonanza, Blubell

The venue is an UNBELIEVABLE castle, yes thats right, a castle, that is built out of various bits of junk and fronted by a solid array of mech-warriors aligning its exterior; all focused towards the equally unbelievable nuclear facility, not one hundred meters away.

The camp is only 5 minutes from the trainstation, and you can get a lift from there to the festival site.!!!!! please hook up wit other people on the train station b4 calling so we have a clear idea of numbers. the no to call is 0438786580

the festival should be heaps of fun and hopefully as many people as possible can hang around till monday and stand up against Nuclear Food Irradiation

5th February, 2003

State Government attempt to evict Narangba Protest Camp

Supreme Court 10am, Wed 5th Feb 2003 Law Courts Complex, George St, Brisbane

COME AND SUPPORT THE NUKE FREE NARANGBA CAMPAIGN!

State Government is attempting to evict the Community Protest Camp by targeting an individual in the Supreme Court. The Camp’s eviction notice is in response to successful protest actions in which cracks were discovered in the concrete of the radiation chamber. Video evidence of the cracks has since been handed over to government representatives, with as yet no response. The eviction notice is an undemocratic attempt to silence the voice of protest and community concern. The State Government is acting upon pressure from Statham Construction and Steritech who have asked them for a ‘notice to quit for’ the Camp. State Development did not provide a Statement of Reasons for the eviction of the protest camp to local community representatives upon their request.

Established in June 2002 the Camp was set up because the Qld Government reneged on its own Party Platform (policy) which states: “Labor will: prohibit the establishment of nuclear irradiation plants in Qld” – Labor Party Platform (Policy) 2000 & 2002. If State Development is successful in persecuting/targeting an individual spokesperson in this way, it would be an unfortunate precedent for protest movements, community groups and trade unions in Qld.

ALSO - CALL FOR ACTION Protest Camp’s Eviction Day - Monday 10th Feb @ 7.30am Lot 7, Potassium St, Narangba Industrial Estate, Deception Bay

20th January, 2003

ACTION - DEFEND 'DECEPTION CASTLE' Community Camp threatened to be moved.

castleCommunity Protest Camp closure date confirmed. Monday 20th January, 8am @ the Community Protest Camp, Narangba Industrial Estate.

A 'Notice to Quit' (eviction notice) has been deliverd to the Camp in retaliation by the Government due to a successful action by the protesting community on Monday 6th Jan.

Soon after this action State Development and the Police met with nuclear irradiation company owner, Steritech. Prior to this meeting State Development have been supportive of the Protest Camp, however are now supporting the aims of the nuclear industry and undermining our democratic right to protest forcing the Camp to close.

State Development even stated in a recent media release "Protestors caused a significant amount of damage to property..." however, when questioned they and Steritech's media representatives are unable to give details on the so-called 'damage'.

Protestors discovered a crack in the concrete of the radiation chamber walls when they were freely allowed to enter the Stertiech site after a security guard opened up the gates for the protestors to enter during the action. This is very significant in relation to public health and safety as the chamber will hold massive amounts of radioactive material. The Camp was established on the 13th June 2002 and has been since attended 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the community. The Camp is a strong focus point representing community opposition to the nuclear facility and is a creative inspiration with its artistic Castle Facade and sculptured nuke-free knights.

January Friday 17th and Sunday 19th nights

castleUNITY PARTY! Community Protest Camp. Bring instruments, food to contribute, and sleeping gear. Help us celebrate the success of the Camp and assist in it's defence on the Monday. How to get there: 30 mins north of Brisbane take Boundary Rd exit left off Bruce Hwy, turn left onto Boundary St, right into Old Gympie Rd at roundabout then right into Frawley Ave which runs into Potassium St. Contact number is 0411 118 737.

15th January, 2003

Public submissions are due on the Free Trade Agreement to open up the floodgates to irradiated food imports.

If Australia signs onto this FTA with the United States it will erode our public services such as health and education due to privatization competitiveness. The Agreement will also open up the floodgates for the import of agricultural products including irradiated food from the United States.

Public submissions are due on the 15th January 2003. An excellent briefing paper which will assist with your submission is available. A submission need only be a brief letter to be effective.

Email stopfialliance@yahoo.com.au for a FTA briefing paper.

Send your submission to: us.fta@dfat.gov.au US FTA Task Force Office of Trade Negotiations Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Barton ACT 0221 Ph: (02)6261 2019/1811 Fax: (02)6261 3514

10th January, 2003

CAVALCADE Against COBALT 60
3pm – Friday 10th January 2003

This Friday (10th Jan) decorate your car and meet at the Port of Brisbane, near Fisherman’s Island, to drive the route to the proposed Narangba Nuclear Irradiation Facility which will be used to irradiate food. This will be the same route that transport workers will use to attempt to deliver the Cobalt 60 rods to the nuclear facility sometime this year (expected before June).

Queensland's minister for health Wendy Edmond has indicated that her department is likely to approve a license for Steritech to use, transport and store radioactive cobalt 60 as long as Steritech satisfies regulations under the State Radiation Safety Act. There is no avenue for public input and there are no other grounds for refusal of the license. Only political pressure on the state minister can prevent it. So get into action in whatever way you can. Come and visit "Deception Castle" - the energy, commitment and passion of those involved in building the community protest camp located opposite the irradiation plant will amaze you, as will the enlightening conversations to be had around the camp.

For more information on how to be active on this campaign contact 0411 118 737 or visit the camp at 12 Potassium Street, Deception Bay (Narangba Industrial Estate) any time. Your support is important.

6th January, 2003

Activists occupy nuclear plant!!

showdown

Protestors opposing the construction of Queensland's first nuclear facility at Narangba today occupied the premises.

At 8am protestors performing a media stunt (involving a dragon attacking actors dressed as nuclear technitions and security guards) outside the fences of the facility were let in by a lone security guard. As the Dragon crossed the road, the security guard unlocked the main gate. Protestors assumed some agreement had been negotiated, and 20 people (including corporate media) entered the grounds of the Steritech site. Protestors continued their theatre performance, and then occupied the nuclear material containment pool room. At no time did the security make an attempt in either word or deed to stop them.

After half an hour the security locked the gates and refused to let out the remaining 15 people, until police arrived at about 9am. During that time some protestor got out by creating holes in the fence, or climbing over the fence. Police eventually allowed protestors the option of leaving, despite protestations of security who "wanted everyone to be arrested".

Six people climbed the walls of the containment area, hoisting flags and banners, and refused to leave. They made a statement to the effect that they were "community health and safety inspectors" and found the site to be "unsafe" and "insecure" and would occupy the site and reopen it as a Community centre for the Deception Bay youth (many of whom dirt-bike in the area). They observed that the formwork in the containment area walls was already cracked to the ground. The containment pool's integrity is paramount to the prevention of radiation leakages into the environment. The pool is ten metres deep and may often fall within the water table, as the construction is sited on the edge of a paperbark wetland which feeds into Moreton Bay.

A stand off with police ensued until the Tactical Response Unit was called in about midday to remove protestors from the premises.

The successful action of activists calls into serious question the claims by the Steritech Corporation that the facility will be 'safe' and 'secure'.

SEE WWW.BRISBANE.INDYMEDIA.ORG.AU for more info

3rd - 5th January, 2003

PARTY & BENEFIT GIG AT NARANGBA ANTI-NUKE CAMP - Sonic Boom Against Nuclear Doom!

4th January 2002. Pottasium St, Narangba, Qld.

Performers include:
Combat Wombat
Jandi Rainbow
The Lab Rats
Mastermined
DJ Morphism
Paul Abad
Drink Gulp Ah
Thea Baumann
Blu Bell
Jackie Marshall
Kim Beaux
and many, many more - come and play too. ...FOOD NOT BOMBS AND MORE...

HOW TO GET to THE PICKET & THE CAMP: From Brisbane go 30-40 minutes north up Bruce Hwy, turn left onto Boundary Road then right at roundabout on Old Gympie Road then left into Frawley Ave which runs into Potassium Street. For more details contact 0411 118 737. The Camp is situated directly opposite the Narangba Nuclear Irradiation Facility currently under construction.

SENATE MOTION BY GREENS

The Australian Greens put the following motion to the Senate on the 12th December 2002 which was unsupported by Labor and Liberal.

The Greens media release is as follows: 12th December 2002 Australian Green Senator Kerry Nettle's motion to condem the Government's slack approach to the approval of the Narangba Food Irradiation facility north of Brisbane was defeated in the Senate.

THE MOTION:

(1) Condemn the Government's 1999 decision to lift the Federal moratorium on food irradiation wihtout adequate public notice or consultation.

(2) Condemn the decision of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage to approve the construction and operation of the gamma radiation sterlisation and decontamination plant at Narangba in Queensland, based on "Preliminary Documentation" as the means of assessment rather than requiring a full Environmental Impact Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

"This dismissal of such an important issue confirms what the local community has known for some time, that neither the Coalition nor Labor are prepared to listen to their concerns," Senator Nettle said.

"There are very real dangers that come with this development which simply aren't being taken seriously. "The slapdash approach that led to the Federal Government approving the development without a full environmental impact statement is being repeated by State government agencies. "The Greens will continue to support local activists to protect residents from the dangers of the nuclear industry.

2nd January, 2003

BARBEQUE AT NARANGBA ANTI-NUKE CAMP - 2nd January 2002. Pottasium St, Narangba, Qld.

clapping

1st January, 2003

WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL@ the Greenhouse Tent, New Years Day, 2pm: presetnation on food irradiation and the Narangba campaign by SFIA

Woodford Folk Festival 2002/03 Anti-Nuclear Activities Report

The Narangba nuclear irradiation facility is approximately 35km south east of Woodford.

The Dump ‘Greedozer’ alias long-term anti-nuclear activist Bennie Zable hosted a theatrical installation ‘The Dump’ at the Woodford Folk Festival. In combination with the NSW Endangered Species Project ‘The Dump’ was symbolic of our toxic environment from poisoning from the nuclear and forestry industry.

Joined by Atomic Oz the installation was a vibrant activity of interpretation on food irradiation and the Nuclear Free Narangba campaign. Performers provided information to the audience in the form of musical raps, theatrical skits and leafleting. Their energy was inspiring and entertaining and was enjoyed by hundreds of Woodford Festival goers over the six-day period.

Question-time for the Environment Minister!

beattieThe Queensland Government was publicly made accountable by campaigners during a presentation on Suburban Sustainability-Acting Locally at the Woodford Folk Festival. The Attorney General, Mr Rod Welford was proxy for the State Environment Minister, Mr Dean Wells who was unable to make the presentation as someone ‘forgot to tell him’.

Question 1. Why does a nuclear facility (such as Stertiech’s nuclear irradiation facility) slip through State legislation - (namely the Environmental Protection Act and Integrated Planning Act) with no requirement for an environmental impact assessment?

Answer: Mr Welford admitted that there was a problem with State legislation - that these two Acts do not address nuclear issues. He also said the Narangba nuclear irradiation facility has been a ‘constant sore’ for the Government. Mr Welford also added that he hopes irradiated food will be labelled so he can avoid eating it for him and his family.

Question 2. When the then Federal Environment Minister, Robert Hill, approved the facility under the EPBC (Environmental Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act), Qld Premier, Peter Beattie publicly stated that if “he (Hill) ticks it off, then I’ll tick it off”. Mr Beattie continues to place the responsibility onto the Federal Government and says that there is nothing that his government can do to stop the facility.

However, during a recent ALP Community Cabinet yourself (Rod Welford) stated that the State Government does not have to give approval just because of the Federal approval (which contradicts Beattie’s statements).

Answer: This question was not clarified.

The above questions sparked further questions from other audience members about the nuclear facility and food irradiation. The audience were also generally very angry towards the Government regarding environmental issues, ie. lack of funding for sustainable housing and land clearing.

Other Woodford activities: SFIA also gave a presentation in the GREENhouse which included the short documentary campaign film ‘Keeping Narangba Nuclear Free’. Please contact stopfialliance@yahoo.com.au for your copy, cost is $10 plus postage and handling.

Hey, if anyone is going to Woodford check out the local fruit shop ‘Elvis Parsley’ ‘Food Fit for a King’, it is a real hoot - it is the only time I have ever been sold fruit by an Elvis impersonator.

18th December 2002

"Food Irradiation: Unsafe, Unnecessary, Unwanted" Postcard Released

A sponsored Avantcard (postcard) on food irradiation was recently released to Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin, Sydney and Brisbane. Consumers will be able to pick the card up from food outlets and community centres and forward the letter to the Qld Premier, Mr Peter Beattie and the Federal Minister for Health and Aging, Senator Kay Patterson as a protest to food irradiation and the Narangba nuclear irradiation facility. Thank you to Avantcard for your wonderful support.

The release of the Card was very timely as it was released the same day that Application A443 for the irradiation of tropical fruits was released on the 18th December 2002.

17th December 2002

European Parliament rejects FI

A win for consumers as the European Parliament rejects the expansion of food irradiation pending adequate scientific research proving the safety of irradiated food.

18th December 2002

A443 - Irradiation of Tropical Fruit approved

Despite the European Parliament’s rejection on the 17th December 2002 of the further irradiation of food, the Australian & New Zealand food authority (FSANZ) approved our second FI application for the irradiation of tropical fruit. Have your say.

Radioactive license pending

Nuclear irradiation company, Steritech Pty. Ltd have applied to Queensland Health for a license to use, store and transport highly radioactive material - Cobalt 60 for the nuclear irradiation facility in the Narangba Industrial Estate, Deception Bay, Queensland (30 minutes north of Brisbane). Have your say.

crowdIf approved the License would:

· Breach the nuclear free zones of Brisbane and Caboolture Shires.
· Introduce the nuclear industry to Qld on a massive scale.
· Introduce the nuclear irradiation of food in Australia.
· Undermine consumer and resident opposition to the facility.

18th December 2002

Free Trade Agreement to open up the floodgates to irradiated food imports If Australia signs onto this FTA with the United States it will erode our public services such as health and education due to privatization competitiveness. The Agreement will also open up the floodgates for the import of agricultural products including irradiated food from the United States.