PROTESTERS will pack up camp and celebrate a small victory on Saturday night with AGL Energy “mothballing” plans to drill coal seam gas (CSG) wells south of Gloucester.
Access to the site has been blockaded for the past 12 days by landholders who have been demanding that AGL cease its drilling program until the results of an independent water study of the Gloucester Basin have been completed and presented to the public.
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance spokesperson Graeme Healy said now equipment was being withdrawn and AGL was vacating the site, there was no need to maintain the blockade.
“There will be a party at the blockade site on Saturday evening to celebrate the decision by AGL to defer its exploration drilling program and vacate the site, and the blockade will be pulled down on Sunday,” Mr Healy said.
“While we are happy that AGL has publicly committed to defer its exploration drilling program until after the outcome of a court challenge and further water studies, the company has not yet agreed to the independent water study demanded by the community.
“AGL has agreed to enter into negotiations with the Alliance over the terms of a water study but we are adamant that it needs to be fully independent to have credibility.”
Access to the site has been blockaded for the past 12 days by landholders who have been demanding that AGL cease its drilling program until the results of an independent water study of the Gloucester Basin have been completed and presented to the public.
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance spokesperson Graeme Healy said now equipment was being withdrawn and AGL was vacating the site, there was no need to maintain the blockade.
“There will be a party at the blockade site on Saturday evening to celebrate the decision by AGL to defer its exploration drilling program and vacate the site, and the blockade will be pulled down on Sunday,” Mr Healy said.
“While we are happy that AGL has publicly committed to defer its exploration drilling program until after the outcome of a court challenge and further water studies, the company has not yet agreed to the independent water study demanded by the community.
“AGL has agreed to enter into negotiations with the Alliance over the terms of a water study but we are adamant that it needs to be fully independent to have credibility.”
The Land
A Note from the Barrington-Gloucester-Strod Preservation Alliance:
'AGL will today begin the process of mothballing the site of its proposed coal seam gas exploration drilling at Forbesdale. Now that the equipment is being withdrawn and the site vacated, there is no longer a need to maintain the blockade.
We are able to claim a significant first round victory over AGL and thanks are due to everyone who contributed to the success of the blockade. To celebrate this significant event, a party will be held at the blockade site on Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Everyone who contributed to the blockade is invited to attend. BGSPA will provide sausages for the barbecue. Please BYO drinks and a plate of something to share.
The blockade will be dismantled on Sunday and negotiations with AGL over the terms of the water study will commence in the new year.'
Graeme Healy
BGSPA Chairperson
A Note from the Barrington-Gloucester-Strod Preservation Alliance:
'AGL will today begin the process of mothballing the site of its proposed coal seam gas exploration drilling at Forbesdale. Now that the equipment is being withdrawn and the site vacated, there is no longer a need to maintain the blockade.
We are able to claim a significant first round victory over AGL and thanks are due to everyone who contributed to the success of the blockade. To celebrate this significant event, a party will be held at the blockade site on Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Everyone who contributed to the blockade is invited to attend. BGSPA will provide sausages for the barbecue. Please BYO drinks and a plate of something to share.
The blockade will be dismantled on Sunday and negotiations with AGL over the terms of the water study will commence in the new year.'
Graeme Healy
BGSPA Chairperson
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