Local Extinction Rebellion protesters last month launched coordinated protest actions across the Macedon Ranges to demand immediate action on climate change.
The actions took place as part of the statewide XR Rural Day of Climate Change Action on February 21 in the lead up to the Climate Justice Alliance’s Climate Crisis National Day of Action on February 22.
Protests began in Riddells Creek where locals gathered with flags to speak to pedestrians and hand out flyers outside the Foodworks Supermarket in Station Street.
Later, Extinction Rebellion members in Woodend occupied the Clock Tower memorial reserve in High Street with flags and signs opposite the popular Holgates Brewhouse.
This was followed by an action by the Kyneton local group including a gathering at the Mechanics Institute Reserve and a ‘Rebel’s Crossing’ using the town’s pedestrian crossing to halt traffic and raise awareness of the climate crisis in commemoration of the Rural Day of Action.
Extinction Rebellion members also planned to attend the National Day of Action at the State Library in Melbourne on Saturday February 22, organised by the Climate Justice Alliance, travelling via train to the CBD.
Extinction Rebellion protestor Alison attending the action in Woodend.
“We only have eight years left to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees of warming and avoid the awful impacts that warming of 3.5 degrees will have,” she said.
“We can’t continue with the current ‘business as usual’ and achieve significant emission reductions or the drawdown of Co2 needed.
“XR is demanding that our governments tell the truth, declare a climate emergency, and be led by a citizens assembly to ensure we achieve net zero emissions by 2025.”
Neighbouring Hepburn and Mount Alexander Shires have now both declared a climate emergency.
Macedon Ranges Shire councillors are facing increasing community pressure to vote on a declaration, including through a petition on Change.org organised by local student Nixon Stuart-Higgs and a petition on iPetitions.com organised by the Macedon Ranges Climate Emergency Declaration Coalition and supported by the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.
Local reaction to the actions was largely supportive, with commuters honking car horns and waving in support of the protesters.
One protester in Kyneton said the highlight was seeing the faces of kids in cars.
“They were excited and happy to see climate action.”
“We need them at all our actions. The planet is theirs,” said another.
The actions took place after Australia sweltered through a January of record-breaking heatwaves and bushfires that caused widespread loss of life and destruction and generated significant criticism of the federal government’s handling of climate change policy.
Organiser Pene Rice said there were no excuses left.
“Governments have to act.”
Editor’s note: Macedon Ranges councillors have been in discussion about this issue but are yet to make a formal decision.
