Overview
Three days after environmental advocates glued themselves to a pedestrian crossing in Queen Street, the CBD will weather another outcry against Queensland's just-approved Adani coal mine. Come 5pm today, Friday, June 21, a march will head from the top of Queen Street Mall over to South Brisbane, to protest the controversial facility.
Led by Uni Students for Climate Justice and Movement Against Destruction, the We Do Not Approve: Stop Adani! rally will leave from Brisbane Square on George Street, travel over the Victoria Bridge and end at the ABC's Brisbane headquarters on Grey Street at South Bank. According to the protest's Facebook page, it's expected to run for two hours until 7pm — which means Brisbane peak-hour traffic will be affected.
Whether you're a CBD worker looking forward to quitting time, need to travel through the city on your way home or have plans to head out tonight, you might want to adjust your schedule as a result. Brisbane City Council advises that road closures are likely, including on George, Adelaide and William streets in the city, along North Quay, over the Victoria Bridge and down through Grey Street. Translink also notes that delays and changes to public transport are possible, with the 555 bus already being diverted to miss some CBD stops both inbound and outbound.
At the time of writing, more than 1200 people have RSVPed to attend the Brisbane event. Simultaneous protests will also be held in Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide.
If you're wondering about the march's route, organisers are hoping that the national broadcaster will air the protest live, giving the rally — and the widespread unhappiness about the government's decision to support the Adani project — a bigger platform.
For public transport and traffic updates throughout the afternoon and evening, keep an eye Qld Traffic Metro and Translink's twitter feeds, as well as Brisbane City Council's Facebook page.
Image: Victoria Bridge, John via Flickr.