NSW:Protesters to ignore Adelaide sinking

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2011
NSW:Protesters to ignore Adelaide sinking

SYDNEY, April 13 AAP - Protesters will hold hands with their backs to the sea when
HMAS Adelaide is scuttled off Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast on Wednesday.

Thousands of spectators have gathered on the beach as the decommissioned frigate sits
idle about 1.8km from the shore.

The ship will be sunk at about 10.30am (AEST) to form an artificial reef which is expected
to become a popular diving site.

The No Ship Action Group has set up on the beach, with a few dozen members who say
they are saddened that their multiple attempts in courts have failed to stop the scuttling
operation.

Group spokesman Quentin Riley, who has lived at Avoca Beach all his life, says the
presence of the wreck will change the area forever.

"The beach is part of me, it's part of my life and they're trying to destroy it, and
all for money," Mr Riley told AAP.

The group says the wreck will lead to environmental damage, introduce health risks,
change surf conditions and cause beach erosion.

Conditions at Avoca on Wednesday morning are ideal for the scuttling operations which
the protesters will ignore as controlled explosive charges are detonated to sink the ship.

"We intend to hold hands and look at those trees but the kids will want to peek," Mr Riley said.

A last minute bid by the No Ship Action Group to halt the sinking failed on Tuesday.

The group filed a summons at the Land and Environment Court, addressed to NSW Minister
for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker.

But a spokesperson for Ms Hodgkinson said the scuttling was scheduled to continue.

AAP vpm/wjf/dep

KEYWORD: ADELAIDE

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