maple street co-op

From the editor
From "Maple Street Co-op News", Aug/Sep 2005

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Maleny looks a bit like a war zone or mini police state. Many residents are wondering whether the police are using the anti-Woolworths protest as an exercise in counterterrorism training or at least in social control.

What sort of power does a building company have that it can get not just a permanent police guard at the site but police officers in their scores or hundreds when they’re sorely needed elsewhere?

The last time we went to press, the "proposed" Woolworths supermarket site was still owned by developer Cornerstone Properties. Then development was taken over by Hutchinson Builders and the site was bought by Uniton, co-founded by Hutchinson's MD Greg Quinn only in mid-May.

Hutchinson's motto is "We Pride Ourselves On Our Safe Sites", yet it doesn't insist that its workers wear protective head gear.

In the last two months here have been numerous community protest actions, and while Lori can't possibly cover the multitude of Maleny stories in her articles this issue, we can at least point readers towards the MalenyVoice.com website, and thank Garry and Steve for their efforts in regularly posting news and photos.

Coming up are court appearances, a resolution on Matthew Smith's prospecting claim, more rallies, marches, actions and concerts, so stay tuned.

Meantime, your Co-op keeps on keeping on...

Ruth

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2005; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]