Yesterday afternoon local landholders and residents in Gloucester launched a blockade to stop coal seam gas company AGL from putting a drill rig in place. The blockade is at the intersection of Jacks Road and Maslens Lane Gloucester.
AGL's 330 well coal seam gas project was approved in the last days of the previous government despite the fact that no independent study of groundwater hydrology had been undertaken. The community is particularly concerned because the Gloucester-Stroud Valley is particularly vulnerable to environmental damage by gas extraction because its complex pattern of geological faults and shears creates an exceptionally high risk of gas migration and water table damage.
We will maintain the blockade until the company agrees to defer further drilling until a fully independent study of groundwater hydrology of the basin has been completed. We do not intend to disrupt other businesses or landholders. There is a large dairy farm at the end of the blockaded road and arrangements are in place to ensure minimal inconvenience to that landholder. Employees, service providers and most importantly, the daily tanker that collects the milk, are all coming and going.
The blockade site is calm and orderly. Tents and marquees have been erected, food and refreshments have been supplied and amenities provided. A roster system has been established and people have settled in for the long haul. Thanks are due to Drew Hutton, Steve Phillips and members of the Karuah River Protection Group who have all offered support and guidance.
Interestingly, the first politician to visit the site was Liberal MLC and member of the Standing Committee inquiring into coal seam gas, Scott McDonald. He arrived at about 1:00 pm and spent considerable time discussing our concerns. Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon arrived mid-afternoon and spent several hours chatting with the people on the blockade. Both wished us well!
We have a core of local landholders and residents who are committed to maintain the blockade. However, if we are do achieve this successfully over the long haul, especially at this time of year, we need support from other groups. Please distribute this widely to your networks. People are welcome to "drop by". Any interest in camping out overnight? Norm Sage is looking after rostering arrangements - normandy@skymesh.com.au .
Many thanks for your support. Hope to see you at the barricade.
Graeme Healy
Chairperson
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance
AGL's 330 well coal seam gas project was approved in the last days of the previous government despite the fact that no independent study of groundwater hydrology had been undertaken. The community is particularly concerned because the Gloucester-Stroud Valley is particularly vulnerable to environmental damage by gas extraction because its complex pattern of geological faults and shears creates an exceptionally high risk of gas migration and water table damage.
We will maintain the blockade until the company agrees to defer further drilling until a fully independent study of groundwater hydrology of the basin has been completed. We do not intend to disrupt other businesses or landholders. There is a large dairy farm at the end of the blockaded road and arrangements are in place to ensure minimal inconvenience to that landholder. Employees, service providers and most importantly, the daily tanker that collects the milk, are all coming and going.
The blockade site is calm and orderly. Tents and marquees have been erected, food and refreshments have been supplied and amenities provided. A roster system has been established and people have settled in for the long haul. Thanks are due to Drew Hutton, Steve Phillips and members of the Karuah River Protection Group who have all offered support and guidance.
Interestingly, the first politician to visit the site was Liberal MLC and member of the Standing Committee inquiring into coal seam gas, Scott McDonald. He arrived at about 1:00 pm and spent considerable time discussing our concerns. Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon arrived mid-afternoon and spent several hours chatting with the people on the blockade. Both wished us well!
We have a core of local landholders and residents who are committed to maintain the blockade. However, if we are do achieve this successfully over the long haul, especially at this time of year, we need support from other groups. Please distribute this widely to your networks. People are welcome to "drop by". Any interest in camping out overnight? Norm Sage is looking after rostering arrangements - normandy@skymesh.com.au .
Many thanks for your support. Hope to see you at the barricade.
Graeme Healy
Chairperson
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance
No comments:
Post a Comment