People’s power was creatively exhibited by communities from all over the east coast of Australia as part of Lock the Gate’s national day of action to defend water resources from inappropriate coal and coal seam gas development.
In Newcastle people marched to Nobbys on the foreshore, in Broke people gathered at Pooles Rock vineyard to protest AGL, in the Illawarra thousands marched across the Sea Cliff bridge, Queensland’s Scenic Rim saw climbers drop a massive banner, market goers in Nimbin said no, and in Kyogle the locals were joined by a couple of goats for a truly regional style rally against the industry that threatens agricultural land and water supplies.
In Sydney’s Martin Place hundreds of Sydneysiders gathered to hear from speakers including Stop CSG Sydney’s Jacinta Green, Liverpool Plains farmer Rosemary Nankivell and Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann.
Green told the crowd that documents obtained through freedom of information requests revealed that Dart Energy had plans for exploratory CSG drilling in two locations in Sydney, despite only one location currently being public (St Peters).
The documents revealed Dart planned to conduct pilot production in Sydney, said Green who questioned why these plans were not being made public by the gas company and the government.
Nankivell spoke about her work as a farmer on the Liverpool Plains and the importance of ensuring food security for Australia, pointing out that the Nationals have been “missing in action” on protecting the region from CSG.
Faehrmann agreed noting the Nationals failure to engage their constituency and stand up for protection of agricultural land has seen farmers now working with the Greens.
Barry O’Farrell needs to “strike the right balance,” said Faehrmann, the Premier’s lack of action on CSG and his refusal to take seriously community concerns about the industry can not continue.
In the last 12 months both Faehrmann and Greens NSW mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham have visited many communities around NSW impacted by mining and Buckingham will introduce a bill in the state parliament calling for a moratorium on CSG licencing.
The rally was entertained with music from two local bands, and community groups from across the state sent their banners to the Sydney organisers to display at the CBD rally. Over 50 banners were flying high over the plaza at Martin Place throughout the afternoon.
The Sydney crowd heard updates as communities from around the state phoned in news of how many had gathered in their town for the day of action, with updates from Broke, Murwillumbah, Tyalgum, Blue Mountains, Kyogle, Byrill Creek, Tweed Heads, Newcastle, Illawarra, Nimbin, Byron Bay, Liverpool Plains, Margaret River, Mudgee, Uki, Rylstone, Mt Burrell, Gloucester, Brisbane, Bucketts Way, Maitland… and more.
Thousands of people mobilised throughout the day across Australia to send a message to the government and to the mining companies, that coal seam gas is not welcome and that their concerns must be heard.
For more photos of the Sydney rally, view the gallery here.
For more photos of the Illawarra bridge walk and banner drop, view the gallery here.
