NSW: Protesters blockade movie site

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2004
NSW: Protesters blockade movie site

SYDNEY, April 26 AAP - More than 50 protesters today blocked access for a movie crew
due to begin filming an action movie in NSW's Blue Mountains.

Greens MLC Ian Cohen said the blockade was part of an ongoing campaign against the
filming of Stealth, which was granted approval to begin in the Blue Mountains National
Park today.

Protesters were blocking a single access road at Mount Hay which the film crew intends
to use to enter the park.

Mr Cohen said exposing the world heritage listed area to commercial interests was unacceptable
and illegal.

"Despite the fact the movie team will use explosives in these areas and the fact that
the National Parks and Wildlife's filming policy opposes filming in wilderness areas unless
it advances conservation of world heritage scenic, wilderness and cultural values the
government is still giving the film the green light," Mr Cohen said.

The protesters are calling on Environment Minister Bob Debus to intervene and prevent
filming from going ahead.

A rally at Govetts Leap, Blackheath, at midday (AEST) would recommend alternative sites
for the filming, away from wilderness areas, Mr Cohen said.

"Newnes, near Lithgow, is a more appropriate site," he said.

"The town would benefit from the economic injection such a big-budget movie would bring."

Mr Cohen said allowing the Stealth crew to film in the national park would set a dangerous
precedent for commercial use of heritage-listed areas.

The $130 million action film has been mostly filmed at Sydney's Fox Studios.

It tells the story of three bomber pilots who must track down an unmanned fighter whose
artificial intelligence unexpectedly becomes useful.

The movie stars American actors Jessica Biel and Josh Lucas.

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KEYWORD: STEALTH

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