Under moody skies more than 300 people gathered at Maleny's Tesch Park last Sunday in support of an event held by the Obi Obi Creek Protection Group, which is spearheading a campaign against a planned Woolworths development on the banks of the creek.

It's a passionate subject for some of the residents of Maleny, who fear that the placement of the supermarket will destroy the natural habitat of animals like platypus and bring traffic chaos to the small township.    Those present reaffirmed their objections to Woolworths' planned supermarket on the Obi Obi Creek and their willingness to take peaceful direct action to protect the site.

"The community is clear on this issue, the Obi Obi Creek is the green heart of our town and we don't want Woolworths building a concrete box on this site," said Ms Susie Duncan from the Obi Obi Creek Protection Group.    "The site presents a major traffic hazard especially for school children.    Woolworths would also threaten Maleny's small businesses and their local suppliers."

The Mairwarr Indigenous Environmental Group performed ceremonial dances at the rally in acknowledgment of the significance of the site.    They explained that a detailed business plan is being submitted to the Indigenous Land Corporation for funding to purchase the site. 

Within this plan both indigenous and nonindigenous communities would work together in the development of a cultural centre and the revegetation of the area.   MC's also encouraged individuals to sign up to a phone tree which will facilitate efficient communications amongst protestors and also invited them to attend workshops teaching them their rites to passive protest.    Other performers were also present, showcasing anti-Woolworths compositions to a delighted audience.

The rally finished up with the formation of a human chain which wound its way under the bridge to the site on Bunya St.   Colourful ribbons were tied to the fence of Cornerstone's property in celebration of the life of the creek and the commitment of the group to protect it.  Members of the Maleny fifth Light Horse Troop also turned out on the day, winning a round of applause for parading down Maple Street with placards displaying anti-Woolworths slogans.

To date, loyal campaigners have kept the Woolworths/Cornerstone collaboration at bay for about two years, but that could change now as the companies have all the documentation they need to proceed.    The only hold up had been that planing permission granted by Caloundra City Council prevented any building work during the platypus breeding season.    That finished at the end of February, indicating the construction machine could mobilize imminently.

Cornerstone representative Andrew Harper has stated recently to TRN that he could give no indication of a start-date for the project, but maintained it would be going ahead this year.   Some protestors suspect Cornerstone is protecting its start date to prevent local media from tipping off opposition groups which are widely expected to initiate a string of protests on site to hamper development work.   "I don't trust them," said Joe Colreavy.   "They won't display a date because they know we will be waiting for them."

Indeed, this is likely to be a very difficult development for Cornerstone to get off the ground, with a proportion of Maleny's community obviously ready to oppose this project.   Now it's a waiting game and the protestors are on yellow alert...

Some of the children at the rally busy
painting a platypus

About 300 people gathered for the Sunday morning rally in Tesch Park.