The aerial ropeway used to take coal from Stockton coal mine has remained stationary since Rach Andrews and Tāmati Taptiklis set up an encampment in a coal bucket more than two weeks ago. The coal bucket is suspended over 80 metres above a gully in the middle of the 2 kilometre ropeway.

The climbers commenced their occupation to demonstrate the widespread opposition to Bathurst’s plans to mine the Denniston Plateau by applying through the fast-track legislation. Today is the 16th day that the pair have been living in the coal bucket, topped with a tarpaulin.

The police have not made any attempts to remove the climbers as they enter their third week of disruption to Bathurst’s infrastructure.

“The remarkable challenges that Rach and Tāmati are enduring show us how deeply people feel about the Denniston Plateau. People would go to great lengths to protect that special place.” Says Rosemary Penwarden, Spokesperson For Climate Liberation Aotearoa

The climbers unfurled a banner reading ‘Coal Fuels Floods’ to show the connection between fossil fuels and the intensifying severe weather events around the country.

The pair have not made it clear to police when they will be coming down.

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