Council back open for business after Extinction Rebellion protest

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Extinction Rebellion protesters chained themselves to the outside of the city council in Nelson to demonstrate about the council’s use of Glyphosate weed killer.

The doors are back open, but it was a different story first thing on Thursday morning after environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion blocked entrances to Nelson City Council for several hours to campaign against the use of glyphosate.

The group of between six and 10 Extinction Rebellion members was protesting the council's use of glyphosate, a weed-killer, on berms and verges.

The protest was against the use of the chemical glyphosate on berms and verges throughout the city.

Police arrested four protestors and dispersed the rest at about 9am, with staff being able to enter the building soon afterward.

A police spokeswoman said those who had been arrested were released with a formal warning afterwards.

Council CEO Pat Dougherty said while the main entrance had been blocked off, staff were not able to get to work. He said while the group had not blocked access to another door, because it was a fire hazard staff were not allowed to enter.

Nelson City Council chief executive Pat Dougherty, right with police outside the building on Trafalgar St.

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Extinction Rebellion Whakatu protesting outside the Nelson City Council offices blocked off all entrances to the central city building.

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Police were forced to use bolt cutters to first free, then arrest an Extinction Rebellion Whakatu protestor.

Dougherty said there had been about 100 staff stuck outside, along with other tenants of the building.

He said councillors, due to arrive for a council meeting at 9am, had been emailed to stay away until the situation was resolved.

At about 8:45am eight police officers arrived at the scene, using bolt cutters to free those protestors who had chained themselves to the front door.

Dougherty said with regard to the glysophate issue, council had long been aware of the ecological concerns some members of the community had, and had decided in 2020 to prioritise a review of its use in the 2021/22 financial year.

He said there had already been workshops held with councillors, where alternatives had been discussed.

“While we appreciate the strength of feeling on this issue, a review allows us to systematically look at all risks and potential impacts, and draw on the experience of other councils around New Zealand.”