AnarWiki/markdown/Green_Bans.md

**Green Bans** are a form of [strike](strike "wikilink") where
construction workers refuse to work on projects that will damage the
environment or a local community. They most famously occurred in
Australia throughout the early 1970s, and led to numerous state-based
environmental protections as well as being one of the historical
inspirations for [Green Syndicalism](Green_Syndicalism "wikilink").

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<strong>1. Kelly’s Bush (Mid 1971)</strong> An area of natural bushland
in Hunters Hill, threatened with expansion by A.V. Jennings. Bans
imposed after a Meeting of A.V. Jennings’ workers at a Public Meeting at
Hunters Hill at which a group of women, calling themselves “The Battlers
for Kelly’s Bush”, formally requested that the Builders’ Labourers
impose a ban. The Bushland remains to this day.

<strong>2. The Rocks (Late 1971)</strong> Original ban on request of
residents for proper housing. Changed in 1972, when there was a new
rationale brought about by the Royal Australian Planning Institute’s
report questioning the Sydney Cove Re-Development Scheme, which would
have meant five hundred million dollars worth of high-rise building in
this residential area. Subsequently, the first people’s plan was drawn
up for “Rocks” area at the residents’ request. The ban remained as at
October 1973.

<strong>3. Victoria Street (1971)</strong> A historic street in Sydney.A
wide response to opposition of the building of a forty-five storey
complex, and insistence that Victoria Street should be kept low-rise
with provision for middle and low income wage earners to reside. To
highlight the need for low income earners to live in the city,
widespread “squatting” occurred in Victoria Street. In January 1974 a
confrontation occurred – all residents (except Mick Fowler) were removed
from the Street. Massive arrests took place during the confrontation.
The ban still applies in this Street as at June 1974.

<strong>4. Congregational Church (February 1972)</strong> First of the
bans imposed on buildings considered by the National Trust to be worthy
of preservation for historical or architectural reasons. The building
still stands as at October 1973.

<strong>5. Opera House Car Park (March 1972)</strong> After approaches
from Labor Party Politicians, progressive architects and the Total
Environment Centre, a Public Meeting requested Builders’ Labourers to
impose this ban, because of destruction to part of the cliff face, the
destroying of three trees and the affecting of the contours of the
Gardens. The ban was successful.

<strong>6. Theatre Royal (Mid 1972)</strong> The demolition of the
Theatre Royal stopped the proposed construction of a seven hundred (700)
feet M.L.C.-Lend-Lease project until a written guarantee was given that
a live professional theatre of comparable size, incorporation features
of the old Theatre Royal, was constructed. Under-taking was given by
Lend-Lease and M.L.C.

<strong>7. Moore Park _ Centennial Park Sports’ Complex” (June
1972)</strong> A very large Public Meeting of diverse groupings of
people requested that the Builders’ Labourer’s impose a ban on the
construction of a sports complex, which would have destroyed Sydney’s
most beautiful park, Centennial Park. The ban has been successful and
the Liberal Government of New South Wales has announced that it will not
go ahead with the proposed construction.

<strong>8. Cook Road (Centennial Park)</strong> At the request of the
residents a ban was imposed on new high-rise buildings until a community
plan for the area is drawn up. The ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>9. Mt. Druitt (Mid 1972)</strong> In support of resumption and
demanding reasonable compensation from Lend-Lease and Housing
Commission. Ban lifted – by Labor Council of N.S.W.

<strong>10. North-West Expressway (Late 1972)</strong> At the request of
a Public Meeting in Glebe and Balmain, old areas of Sydney, where, if
the freeway had been constructed, one-sixth of the total houses in these
suburbs, would have been destroyed, a ban was imposed.

<strong>11. “Lyndhurst” – Glebe (1972)</strong> Historic building.A
National Trust preservation ban. It was proposed to demolish this
historic building to make way for a freeway, in Glebe. The ban still
applies and the building still stands as at June 1974.

<strong>12. Ryde – Dunbar Park (February 1973)</strong> Residents
requested ban after Ryde council proposed a tipping site for non
protresable waste materials. This park is surrounded by new homes and
the ban has been imposed to ensure that the parkland remains a passive
area. Ban successful.

<strong>13. Darlinghurst (March 1973)</strong> Ban imposed on commercial
building in this historic area of Sydney. Residents requested “Green
Ban” and demanded that all housing should be high density low-rise
with adequate provision for low and middle income families to live
within the inner-city area.

<strong>14. Helen Kellar House – Woollahra (March 1973)</strong> A
National Trust preservation ban. This house belongs to the Royal Blind
Society who wanted to demolish it and other houses in order to develop
the land and to provide more income. Residents requested ban against
demolition of this house, in Woollahra. Ban still exists as at June
1974.

<strong>15. Woolloomooloo (April 1973)</strong> Ban imposed on
commercial building in this historic area of Sydney. Residents requested
“Green Ban” and demanded that all housing should be high density
low-rise with adequate provision for low and middle income families to
live within the inner-city area.

<strong>16. Royal Australasian College of Physicians – Macquarie St (May
1973)</strong> A National Trust preservation ban. The national trust
gave permission for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in
Macquarie Street, Sydney. The ban was imposed until union bad
discussions with the National Trust. Ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>17. Pyrmont and Ultimo (Mid 1973)</strong> Part of North-West
Expressway. A Public Meeting of these two inner city suburbs, carried a
resolution requested a “green ban”, as large parts of these suburbs
would have been destroyed by the Freeway.

<strong>18. Fowler-Ware Industries – Merrylands (Mid 1973)</strong> Ban
on a factory in a residential area requested by a meeting of eight
hundred residents in that area. Factory moved elsewhere. Ban Lifted:
residents requested lifting of ban after the area was classified as
“Residential A”. (March 1974).

<strong>19. Jeremy Fisher (June 1973)</strong> Jeremy Fisher was
expelled from Macquarie University Sir Robert Menzies College because he
was a homosexual. At the requests of students at the University, a ban
was placed on all building at the University. Ban Lifted: Jeremy Fisher
decided not to pursue the matter.

<strong>20. Diethnes (July 1973)</strong> Request made by shop owners
after block sold to developer, that a ban be placed on the demolition of
this building. Ban was imposed by B.L.F. in support of the tenants of
the building.

<strong>21. East End – Newcastle (August 1973)</strong> Ban imposed
following a meeting of the citizens of the historic East End, wishing to
retain the working class content, and opposing the extension of
high-rise office buildings and motels in the East End.

<strong>22. Rileys Island (October 1973)</strong> Residents requested
B.L.F. ban. This island was purchased by Hooker-Rex, who intended
developing removed all vegitation and the damage to its environment and
ecology could never be repaired as happened on St. Hubert’s Island which
was developed by Hooker-Rex. Ban has been successful.

<strong>23. Colonial Mutual Building (November 1973)</strong> A National
Trust preservation ban. However the National Trust allowed this historic
building to be demolished. Ban lifted.

<strong>24. Dr. Busby’s Cottage (December 1973)</strong> This was the
oldest house in Bathurst, N.S.W. Part of this cottage was classfield “C”
by the National Trust. The cottage was purchased by a development
company from two pensioner sisters, conditional upon them demolishing
it. An inspection by the National Trust, the developers, Bathurst
Council and the local resident action group, together with the B.L.F. it
was decided to allow development to proceed. Ban lifted – at branch
meeting in March.

<strong>25. Eastern Hill – Manly (Late 1973)</strong> A large meeting of
residents of Eastern Hill, requested a ban on the construction by L.J.
Hooker on two huge tower blocks. Builders’ Labourers acceded to the
residents request and called upon the Meeting to draw up their community
plan for the area.

<strong>26. Eastlakes A working-class area of Sydney.</strong> Ban
imposed following a large Public Meeting at which the Parkes Development
were accused of duping unit dwellers into believing that nearby open
land was to remain park, only to find that the land was privately owned
by Parkes Development. The area remains as parkland.

<strong>27. A.N.Z. Bank – Martin Place</strong> A National Trust
preservation ban. It was proposed to demolish this historic building for
redevelopment. The ban still applies and the building still stands as at
June 1974.

<strong>28. National Mutual Building – Martin Place</strong> A National
Trust preservation ban. It was proposed to demolish this historic
building for redevelopment. The ban still applies and the building still
stands.

<strong>29. C.M.L. Buildng – Martin Place</strong> A National Trust
preservation ban.

<strong>30. Mascot High-Rise</strong> Ban on single dwelling blocks.
This was place at the request of a large meeting of citizens of Mascot,
who were opposing town-house type dwellings, if there was not sufficient
green area retained around them.

<strong>31. Newcastle Hotel</strong> A working-class Hotel in the Sydney
Cove Re-development Authority’s are a of “Rocks” re-development.

<strong>32. Regent Theatre</strong> A bun imposed at the request of
Actor’s Equity demanding that this theatre be kept for live professional
Theatre. The ban still exists as at June 1974, and the theatre is still
operating as such.

<strong>33. Redfern Aboriginal Centre</strong> B.L.F. imposed a ban at
the request of the aborigines until such time as they were consulted as
to the construction of the complex. The Federal Government gave the
Aborigines money to build the centre. Ban lifted – Mid 1973. The
aborigines are now (June 1974) building the Centre themselves.

<strong>34. Eastern Freeway</strong> Ban imposed following meeting of
eastern suburbs residents opposing the destruction of working class
homes in the make of the proposed freeway, which could have destroyed
large sections of Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Taylors
Square and Bondi Junction. Ban still imposed as at June 1964.

<strong>35. Botany High Rise</strong> This was place at the request of a
large meeting of citizens at Mascot, who were opposing town house-type
dwellings, if there was not sufficient green area retained around them.

<strong>36. Motorway – Newcastle</strong> Freeway ban at the request of
the residents. Ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>37. St. George’s Hill</strong> A ban imposed at the request of
the residents of this suburban area, following failure of the developer
to pay adequate compensation.

<strong>38. Kings Cross</strong> It was decided by residents in this
area.Community Plan Proposal. This plan is being drawn up by the
residents of the community.

<strong>39. South Sydney</strong> Ban imposed following large Public
Meeting at which people called upon the authorities to re-consider the
high-rise scheme for the area.

<strong>40. St. John’s Park</strong> A poorer area of Sydney. A dispute
over land resumption and a lack of proper compensation.

<strong>41. New Doctors Dwellings</strong> A Branch Meeting decided to
refuse to construct any new dwellings for doctors in New South Wales,
until such time as they agree to co-operate with the Australian
Government’s Health Plan. Ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>42. Tomaree Peninsula (January 1974)</strong> Residents objected
to proposed high-rise development in this area. A petition was signed by
1,700 people who formed a resident action group. They formed a code or
building in the area which banned building over 3 floors. At a public
meeting the Council informed that it had never intended to allow
high-rise buildings – their plan for the area was for low-rise building.
Ban lifted – May 1974 following this meeting.

<strong>43. Burwood (March 1974)</strong> At the Request of Burwood
Residents Action Group ban placed on demolition of premises in Burleigh
and Elizabeth Streets, Burwood, to make way for a car park.

<strong>44. Western Expressway (March 1974)</strong> Residents in the
Leichhardt Municipality requested B.L.F. to impose ban on demolition to
make way for this expressway. If the expressway goes ahead, 1,180 homes
in the muicipality will be demlished and Annandale, Glebe and Leichhardt
would lost most of their parkland.

<strong>45. Freeways (March 1974)</strong> Ban imposed on all demolition
work to make way for expressways. Mass meeting of builders labourers in
Sydney in late May 1974 expressed condemnation of the Nielsen
Transportation Plan for expressways.

<strong>46. Soldiers Garden Village (April 1974)</strong> At the request
of the residents of the village in Matraville an interim ban was placed
on demolition of this community. The Housing Commission planned to
demolish the village to make way for Housing Commission Accommodation.
The reason for an “interim ban” is that it was not possible to find
which Government Dept. was responsible for the village. The ban still
exists as at June 1974.

<strong>47. Education Department – North Newtown (May 1974)</strong> At
the request of the North Newtown Resident Action Group a ban was placed
on the proposed Education Complex. Demolion is banned on the area
bounded by King Street, Missenden Road, Carillon Avenue, and Theological
Land’’ until the Sydney Teachers’ College is relocated elsewhere. The
residents are drawing up a Community Education Plan – incl. infants &
primary schools, playgrounds, open space areas, before & after school
activity groups, and nursery. The ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>48. Port Kembla (June 1974)</strong> At the request of the
residents of Port Kembla a ban was placed by the South Coast Labour
Council against high rise development and for the reclamation of the
beach to be made a parkland. The B.L.F. Executive endorsed this decision
on 4th June, 1974.

<strong>49. East Woonoa (2nd July, 1974)</strong> Ban imposed, following
request from South Coast Labour Council for endorsement of their ban.
Council imposed ban, at the request of the local progress association.
The ban will remain until the residents are taken into consultation and
are involved in the planning of the area. Ban is on all high rise and
flat development, including major roads in the East Woonoa area. Ban
still exist as at June 1974.

<strong>50. Botany Municipality (September 1972)</strong> Council of the
Municiplaity of Botany opposed units and high-rise buildings on single
blocks of land. Ban covers high-rise building on single dewelling blocks
and industrial development in residential areas.

<strong>51. Sydney University Women’s Course</strong> A ban was placed
on the construction of a new building because they refused too allow two
women tutors to give a course. Ban lifted – the dispute was resolved by
the University internally.

<strong>52. Port Macquarie</strong> At the request of residents a ban
was placed against high rise buildings on beach head and water front.
Ban still exist as at June 1974.

<strong>53. Waterloo</strong> At the request of South Sydney Residents
Action group a ban was placed on the demolition of houses, both
privately and Housing Commission owned, for development by the Housing
Commission of multistorey dewelling blocks of Housing Commission flats.
Ban still exists as at June 1974.

<strong>54. Newcastle Motorway</strong>

A ban was placed on the construction of this motorway at the request of
the residents. The ban still exists as at June 1974.