TONY O'Beirne, a founder of the Save Seal Rocks group and a leading player in Sydney's Green Bans in the 70s, has died from a cancer-related illness, aged 70.
Mr O'Beirne grew up in Hamilton and worked as a rigger, before moving to Sydney to assist Builders Labourers Federation leader Jack Mundey on the union's environmental Green Bans.
In the early 1970s, residents' groups opposed to plans to knock down old buildings in inner Sydney to make way for new developments approached the BLF, which supported their efforts by refusing to work on any demolition projects.
Controversial at the time, the bans were later credited for saving now-important heritage areas from the wrecking ball.
In the late 1970s Mr O'Beirne helped form the Save Seal Rocks movement, which was opposed to development of the coastal hamlet, and to the sand mining that was taking place along the coast between Hawks Nest and Forster.
Save Seal Rocks is credited as an influence on the eventual creation of the Myall Lakes National Park.
Living on a property near Seal Rocks, Mr O'Beirne continued his activism in Newcastle and Sydney.
He is survived by his three children and their families and his wife, Lila.
His funeral is in Sydney tomorrow (Thursday).
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