saveeumundi.org

Getup Climate Torch Relay (www.climatetorch.com)

The GetUp! climate torch was carried to Eumundi by a combination of Noosa tri-athlete Ken Mewha, the students of Noosa District State High School and local residents campaigning for smarter energy alternatives to coal fired power for the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa tri-athlete Ken Mewha mountain biking through Land for Wildlife properties affected by the Powerlink proposed transmission line.

Starting high in the hills of Ridgewood, at the proposed site of a large power pylon, the torch was carried down through the picturesque hinterland on foot and bicycle to Clarry Gray’s farm – the site of Powerlink’s proposed 50 acre substation. Clarry Gray, a 73 year old cattle farmer received the torch and passed it and the climate change challenge to the teenagers of Noosa District State High School to carry into Eumundi and on to Canberra with a message. Clarry said “It is clear stupidity to put this powerline here and burn all that coal giving off greenhouse gases. What about the alternatives and all this good agricultural land that will be destroyed building it.”

With the exception of two Spanish cyclists, providing an international flavour, the students ran the torch into the centre of Eumundi to be met by waiting locals and media. They expressed great interest in the torch, created by the designers of the Sydney Olympic Torch and the various alternative power sources. The torch itself features solar-power, a wind-turbine, people power, and a lemon battery!

Graham Smith, the event organiser said “This is a great opportunity for the community to say to politicians at all levels of Government, that now is the time for action on climate change – there has been enough hot air coming out of Brisbane and Canberra and the community wants strong action now. Get-up is promoting a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and clean energy alternatives to avoid dangerous climate change.” Mr. Smith went on to say that “These objectives are clearly aligned with PAGE’s goals of cleaner, smarter energy solutions, rather than more of the same from Powerlink.”

Ken Mewha handling torch to Clarry Gray and his wife and grandchildren at the site of the proposed 50 acre substation.

For nine weeks from August to October, the GetUp Climate Torch Relay will tour right across Australia – through rural towns and capital cities in every state and territory – on its way to Parliament House, Canberra on October 12. Along the route local communities are hosting legs of the relay, which calls on our leaders to halve Australia’s greenhouse pollution by 2020.

Thanks go to Cooroy Mountain Spring Water who donated 120 bottles of water to the event for the thirsty participants.

At the end of the event the torch was handed over to Annie Nolan from the Sunshine Coast Environment Council who is organizing the next stage in the relay at Maroochydore.

Photos of the event can be seen on the following page – www.saveeumundi.org/getup-relay.htm. High resolution images are available on request.

For more information please contact Graham Smith on 07 5447 0086 or Sam Mclean, National Climate Torch Coordinator, on 0403 510 038.

About GetUp: www.getup.org.au is an independent movement to build a progressive Australia. GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy. GetUp has over 280,000 members nationwide.