Residents forced to drastic action in the face of inaction by Government: Gaslands reaches Sydney bus stops: Sydney

Stop CSG Sydney Media Release:

6th March 2012

Residents forced to drastic action in the face of inaction by Government: Gaslands reaches Sydney bus stops

This morning bus commuters on the way into the Sydney CBD may have found a copy of the award winning documentary Gasland in their bus shelter.

More than one hundred copies were distributed this morning around bus stops in Sydney by members of the community action group Stop CSG-Sydney.

"We are constantly told that we are spreading misinformation (but they never specify what) and of using the movie 'Gasland' as propaganda. By refusing once again to meet us, and in light of the urban residents being ignored in the Strategic Regional Land Use Planning process, this Government has left us with no choice.” says Stop CSG-Sydney spokesperson Isabel McIntosh

“Today we are launching a real world viral campaign to encourage people to watch the DVD, and then pass it on to family or friends, or to leave it somewhere where it can be picked up by someone else,” says Stop CSG-Sydney spokesperson Isabel McIntosh.

“Each DVD has a note on the back urging those who find them to Pick me up. Watch me. Pass me on,” says Isabel McIntosh. “Each DVD is also individually numbered and we are hoping people will tweet (#CSGDVD) or add a photo to Facebook telling where they found the DVD, what they thought of it, and how they passed it on. We’re hoping the DVDs will stay in circulation for more than a year."

“Our group has been attempting for nearly a year to meet with NSW Mining Minister Chris Hartcher to understand what’s happening with Dart Energy’s permit to explore for Coal Seam Gas in Sydney’s inner city. We are distributing these DVDs of Gasland to help inform people in our city about the risks of Coal Seam Gas if the industry is not regulated. In the US, it’s destroyed the farming lands of Wyoming and in Texas there are wells bumping up to suburban backyard fences,” says Isabel McIntosh, an inner west Sydney resident.

“Dart Energy’s licence to explore for Coal Seam Gas across more 2300 square kilometres of the Sydney Basin expired last October and if it is simply allowed enter the renewal process, Mr. Hartcher is trying to bypass his own policy position and is effectively blocking communities from having any input into the process," says Stop CSG-Sydney spokesperson Jacinta Green. “Across the state there are a number of exploration licences coming up for renewal and none of these should be automatically reviewed. Instead all should have to comply with the government’s new regulations including those for improved community consultation.”

"Governments are meant to represent, inform and protect communities. We hope they will soon start taking this responsibility they were elected to do seriously.”

Stop CSG Sydney has been attempting to have conversations with Hon. Chris Hartcher (Minister for Mining) in regards to the licence to drill for Coal Seam Gas in the Sydney basin since August 2011. They have continually encountered obstacles.

More information contact Jacinta Green on 0425 207 180 or Isabel McIntosh 0412 407 472.

www.nogasmininginsydney.com Media release authorised by Stop CSG-Sydney.

Rally against coal seam gas before parliamentary debate - 15 March

A petition signed by more than 20,000 people calling for a ban on fracking, a moratorium on all CSG mining activities and a Royal Commission into the health will be debated in NSWParliament on March 15. A rally organised by Stop CSG-Sydney and Stop CSG-Illawarra will take place outside parliament beforehand and is expected to be attended by community representatives from across the state.

What: Rally against coal seam gas before parliamentary debate

Where: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney When: Thurs, March 15, 4pm

More information contact Paul Benedek on 0410 629 088 or Isabel McIntosh 0412 407 472