Hutton likely to appeal

Drew Hutton

LOCK The Gate Alliance national president Drew Hutton has until next week to decide if he will appeal a court decision to fine him over a coal seam gas protest at Tara, west of Toowoomba.

While yet to make a final decision, Mr Hutton told Queensland Country Life it was "very likely" he would appeal the decision handed down at the Dalby Magistrate's Court last week.

Mr Hutton was found guilty of obstruction and fined $2000 for his part in a March blockade against the construction of a CSG pipeline on the Western Downs. He had no conviction recorded. Mr Hutton had risked a maximum $50,000 fine after being charged under Section 804 of Queensland's Petroleum and Gas Act with obstructing a CSG company without reasonable excuse.

Mr Hutton said he believed the case had the potential to set an "important precedent" for landholders looking to prevent access of resource companies on privately owned land.

He added he would not shy away from future protests that could see him arrested again.

"This is not a movement which is going to be stopped in any court," he said.

"This is a movement that's going to go and change the law."

QCL