Nonviolent Defence of Beecroft Peninsula, Jervis Bay

Beecroft Peninsula forms the northern arm of Jervis Bay. It is leased by the
Federal Government from the NSW State Government for the purpose of Defence
Department activities. Beecroft Peninsula is known as a "weapons testing
range". 

For many years now a small group of people - members of peace groups,
Aboriginal and other environmentalists, have worked by peaceful means to try
the halt the desecration of this land.  The Peninsula is continually shelled
for target practice from both ships and aircraft and is subjected to
countless fires started by shells and flares.

This area is sacred to the Jeringa Aboriginal Tribe along with other South
Coast Aboriginal people as the home of "Bundoola" and the birthplace of the
thirteen tribes of the South Coast.  In 1988 an Aboriginal land claim was
lodged for this area.

The magnificent heathland is dotted with targets, craters, and eroded tracks.
It is home to a great variety of flora and fauna, at least one being listed
as rare and endangered in NSW.  Beecroft Peninsula has been included on the
list of National Heritage sites.

In 1987 a protest was held against the use of a sacred Aboriginal rock
formation, known as the "Drum and Drumsticks" as a target for bombing
practice by the Navy.  In 1989 we held a major action to successfully bring
about the cancellation of Tasmanlink Exercises (a joint Australian and New
Zealand military activity).  This was achieved by various members of the
group secreting themselves on The Range while others later informed the
Defence Forces that people were hidden there and that the military exercises
would be jeopardising their lives.  Some of us remained hidden for up to
seven days, others leaving their hiding places at prearranged times after two
to six days. 

Following the success of this action the same strategy was used on about ten
subsequent occasions to force the cancellation of other Australian Defence
Force exercises.  The military used helicopters and ground personnel
(unsuccessfully) to try to locate our positions. 

Beecroft Peninsula remains in the control and ownership of the Australian
Defence Forces and as such its values both cultural and environmental
continue to be eroded.  The response to our pleas to stop the bombing is that
it is in the national interest.  What is happening to this area is contrary
to current State Labour Party coastal management policy but Defence Forces
are a law unto themselves!

Members of the Jervis Bay Coalition ( as we named the merger of the groups)
worked over many years to successfully halt the relocation of both the Fleet
Base (from Sydney harbour) and the armaments depot (from Newington, Sydney)
to Jervis Bay.  Beecroft Peninsula would have been the site of the huge wharf
complex associated with the armaments depot. 

However, despite our efforts the bombardments continue!  Both Stewart West,
the member for Cunningham (1990) and Ros Kelly, the then Environment
Minister, agreed with conservationists and peace activists wanting to stop
bombardment of Beecroft Peninsula.  "... my portfolio will be putting a
strong view that the bombing should cease" - response from Ros Kelly to a
letter from Stewart West calling for bombing to stop as a matter of priority.

Hansard records from the Senate of 28th November 1989 quote Senator Norm
Sanders as saying "... it is a unique area that should be preserved ... a
real National Park, not one that will be subject to the whims of the NSW
Government ... the point is that Beecroft Peninsula is a very valuable area. 
It is worth saving in itself.  Those who go out onto the range to stop the
bombardment do not do so just to be mischievous; they believe in their hearts
that the bombing should stop, and I too am of that opinion." 

We will continue to work for peace on Beecroft Peninsula by whatever
nonviolent means are possible.

If you would like to share any ideas or thoughts on this matter please
contact me by phone 042 34 1656 or at "Wodi Wodi Wildlife Refuge", Foxground,
NSW 2534 or by email at hjones@peg.apc.org)
Janet Mayer