The Franklin River Blockade

Franklin River Blockade Video 20min Part One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGpy8_v3tmI Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhCGFHkzifQ&feature=related

Hydro-Electric Commission Often known as the State religion of Tasmania Dedicated to the generation of hydro-electricity, but is also a major employer in the State It believed that if it did not continue to build dams, it could no longer produce electricity The Franklin River was not the first site of litigation the HEC had experienced, from 1967-1973, they fought the ‘greenies’ over the dam construction of Lake Pedder. October 1979, they recommend to the Tasmanian Government that a Dam below the Franklin be built. The fight to ‘Save the Franklin’ had began.

What did they want? This or 60 megawatts of power?

Lake Pedder Lake Pedder – situated in south-west Tasmania Australia – was the jewel of wilderness In 1972 the flooding (damming) of Lake Pedder for a minor hydro-electric scheme created an international environmental uproar 1955: The Lake becomes the heart and focus of the Lake Pedder National Park 1968: the LPNP is incorporated into the South West National Park

Lake Pedder con. 1967: Premier Eric Reece announces the Gordon Power scheme will “result in some modification to the Lake Pedder National Park” 1972: The world’s first Green Party, the United Tasmania Group (UTG) is formed to oppose the flooding 1972: In spite of a massive campaign of national and international opposition, the lake is flooded to provide an extra 60MW of electricity

Franklin Evidence Bob Brown and Paul Smith rafted the Franklin River to investigate the ‘mutterings’ they had heard regarding the HEC construction Evidence was found that the HEC was planning on damming the river October 1979, HEC formally recommended the damming of the Gordon River above the Franklin River A Strong Public reaction erupted, not only in Tasmania but on the mainland as well.

Franklin Evidence con. 1980 September: Archaeological sites of Kutikina Cave were discovered From the Franklin River itself the entrance to Kutikina Cave is not visible The caves lay undisturbed for over 20,000 years Over 100 caves lay undisturbed along banks of the Franklin River

The Public Presentation A public referendum was commissioned by the Tasmanian Government (a vote of yes/no of an issue or topic) The only options offered to the people of Tasmania were the two dam projects, it was the first referendum in Australian history without ‘no’ as an option to vote for The Tasmanian Wilderness Society adopted a risky strategy: voters would be urged to not mark either options, but to write “NO DAMS” across their ballot papers.

Change of Government 1981 November: Harry Holgate took over as Premier, winning on the basis of promising to cease all damming 1982 January – Holgate Government change their policy and support the flooding of the Franklin This further stirred the Greenies and infuriated the public who had voted for Holgate due to his promise of banning the dams

The Secret Mission 1982 January – The first blockades prepared to enter the area for a non violent demonstration They had 4 goals in mind – Generate publicity Put pressure on the government To make a show of commitment and determination by getting themselves arrested To slow and even stop work on the dam

Parliament Recalled 1982 March – a motion of NO CONFIDENCE in the Holgate Government was head 1982 May – An election was held, the dams legislation still hadn’t been passed. A landslide victory to pro-dam Liberal Gray 1982 June – Gordon-below-Franklin dam bill was passed 1982 June – Tasmanian Wilderness Society applied to the High Court to prevent funding for the Tasmanian dams by the Loans Council Results: Arguments DISMISSED

Control to the HEC The only hope for the Franklin was now “Intervention by the Federal Government” Bob Brown travelled to Canberra and met with Malcolm Fraser His response... “People with lost causes in Tasmania should not come to Canberra expecting rescue”

Movements in the Night 1st bulldozers moved into the area and truck started run – The dam had started HEC security on Gordon-below-Franklin works area is tightened Entry is now only by permit HEC barge moves onto the water

The Franklin Guerillas 1982 November – Blockaders begin to arrive in Hobart December 8th – Fraser Government publicly states it will not intervene to stop the damming December 12th – The first boatload of protestors leave Shrahan to get into position at the dam site for Day 1

Stage 1 December 14th – 102 people arrested, all refused bail South West Tasmania officially becomes a World Heritage Area December 15th – Another 47 people arrested Decmber 16th - Premier Gray bands all blockaders ‘extremists’. Bob Brown arrested with another 48 people

Stage 1 December 17th – a tent site is established stopping HEC traffic for 5 hrs, 62 people arrested December 22nd – HEC employees leave area for Christmas Blockade Committee works fast: 417 people register for Stage 1 202 arrested 167 imprsioned

Stage 2 4th January – silent vigil on Lower Gordon River, 350 protestors 5th January – new strategy introduced with fewer arrests January 11th – ‘sunset bail’ conditions introduced, leaving protestors with 24hrs to leave the area January 12th – rocks hurled through ‘Greenies’ stations, public phones out of order, camping grounds blocked by police, 80 police escourt bulldozer through to river banks January 19th – PM Fraser offers Tasmania $500million to cease the scheme, Premier Gray delines the money

Stage 2 February 3rd – Fraser calls a Federal Election February 8th – Stage 3 is announced ‘G-Day’ February 10th – A protestor fights for his life after being caught under the barge carrying a bulldozer in his canoe February 17th – the 1000th arrest is made

Stage 3 February 22nd – Camping is banned within the National Park that the Franklin is within February 23rd – An unknown number of protestors hide in the bush in preparation for G-Day March 1st – ‘G-Day’ (GREEN DAY) 231 people are arrested “No Dams” flags are erected all over Tasmania and Victoria March 5th – Bob Hawke is elected to power and is in full support of ‘No Dams’ March 31st – the Federal Government passes regulations forbidding HEC works in the World Heritage Areas

Stage 3 April 1st – Tasmania Government challenges Federal Government’s constitutional right to impose the regulations and the matter goes to the high court Evidence is gathered by ‘Greenies’ to assist the Federal Government May 19th – In Hobart all charges for trespass are dropped July 1st – The High Court rules 4 votes to 3 in favour of the Commonwealth. The damming cannot proceed. July 22nd – The last ‘Greenie’ leaves the wilderness

The Franklin River Today In the early 80’s the Franklin was purely a private independent usage river Today however, over 60 commercial companies use the site for water adventures It is the only ‘wild’ river left in Tasmania and it has a ‘Source to Sea’ flow with only 1 road crossing it.