Green Bans

</image> <label>Performers</label> <label>Date</label> <label>Location</label> </infobox>Green Bans are a form of strike where construction workers refuse to work on projects that will damage the environment or a local community. They most famously occurred in Australia from 1970 to 1975, and led to numerous state-based environmental protections as well as being one of the historical inspirations for Green Syndicalism. They were largely organised by the communist-controlled Builders Laborers Federation.

Actions by City

Some of the most iconic buildings, neighbourhoods and parks in Australia were saved by Green Bans. The Green Bans were also used as a protest measure against sexist, racist and homophobic policies pushed by certain groups.

Newcastle

• East End

Melbourne

• ANZ Banking Museum
• 333 Collins Street
• City Baths
• Hardy-Gallagher Reserve
• Hotel Windsor
• Princess Theatre
• Queen Victoria Market
• Regent Theatre
• Royal Parade
• Tasma Terrace

Sydney

• Centennial Park
• Colonial Mutual Building
• Dunbar Park
• Helen Kellar House
• Housing in Darlinghurst
• Housing in the East End
• Housing in Glebe and Balmain
• Housing in Mt. Druitt
• Housing in Pyrmont and Ultimo
• Housing in Woolloomooloo
• Kelly's Bush
• Lyndhurst
• Macquarie University
• Moore Park
• Pitt St Congregational Church
• Redfern Aboriginal Centre
• Rileys Island
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Soldiers Garden Village
• Sydney University Women’s Course
• The Rocks
• Theatre Royal
• Victoria Street

18. Fowler-Ware Industries – Merrylands (Mid 1973) 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).

20. Diethnes (July 1973) 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.

24. Dr. Busby’s Cottage (December 1973) 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.

25. Eastern Hill – Manly (Late 1973) 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.

26. Eastlakes A working-class area of Sydney. 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.

27. A.N.Z. Bank – Martin Place 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.

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

29. C.M.L. Buildng – Martin Place A National Trust preservation ban.

30. Mascot High-Rise 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.

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

33. Redfern Aboriginal Centre 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.

34. Eastern Freeway 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.

35. Botany High Rise 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.

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

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

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

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

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

41. New Doctors Dwellings 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.

42. Tomaree Peninsula (January 1974) 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.

43. Burwood (March 1974) 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.

44. Western Expressway (March 1974) 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.

45. Freeways (March 1974) 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.

47. Education Department – North Newtown (May 1974) 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.

48. Port Kembla (June 1974) 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.

49. East Woonoa (2nd July, 1974) 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.

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

51. Sydney University Women’s Course 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.

52. Port Macquarie 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.

53. Waterloo 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.

54. Newcastle Motorway

A ban was placed on the construction of this motorway at the request of the residents.

Results

Green Bans saved many vital urban spaces and over 100 buildings were considered by the National Trust to be worthy of preservation. The bans led to new historical buildings and environmental legislations in the 1970s across several states and the Australian government. They also contributed the introduction of 'Green' as a political word.

See Also

• Work-In