You Must Check Out This Latest Report 2012-2013 Click the Link at the bottom of the page to access your free Report
I have
attached risk management tools that I hope will help people to better protect
their families from the health impacts of unconventional gas mining.
Australians have never before had to live and raise
children amidst heavily industrialised gas fields. Communities are being
exposed to a myriad of psychological stresses, and a witch’s brew of air, water,
and soil contaminants.
There is
no scientific evidence that gas fields can be operated safely in populated
areas. Abundant research indicates a high level risk of catastrophic
health impacts likely to leave a legacy of suffering for generations to
come.
Children
are being injured and the situation is urgent. We confront a political
process compromised by the undue influence of mining companies, incapable of
proper risk assessment, and denying responsibility for protecting health.
In such a time, the safety of the community depends on individuals and local
groups.
People
need to understand the true nature of the CSG health threat. A danger that
is not recognised cannot be avoided or mitigated. If you do not know that
the fibro you are breaking up contains asbestos, you will have no idea that you
are being injured. If you develop lung cancer years later you will have no
idea why this has happened to you.
Wherever
possible, hazards need to be removed. Gas field pollutants can cause
severe permanent injuries and chronic disability. For all affected people,
but especially for children, it is essential that exposure to harm ends as soon
as possible. If people are harmed, effective treatment will depend on
symptoms being quickly and accurately diagnosed.
The attached report reviews
what is known about the health effects of exposure to gas field pollutants and
processes. Questionnaires are
provided to help people self-assess their exposure to risk. If repeated at intervals over time, these questionnaires
could assist in the early recognition of any change in health
status.
The
materials are free of charge, and can be copied and distributed provided that
they are reproduced in full, without alteration and with all citations and
references, and no fee is charged.
Some key
references can be downloaded from the links in the “Selected References” section
on page 41. Copies of the report and the checklists, and a selection of
references, are also available on DVD .
I hope
that you find this information useful. I am distributing these materials
widely, and it would be good if you could do so too.
thermite melted tons of metal before the towers were brought
down. it was gushing like rivulets out all over towers one and two. on
film has to be iron/steel.
they said at the end of WW 2 germany was 30 years ahead of
her time you fast forward that to today and times that maybe by 4 or 5
times more and that's where our true human race technology is at today
If the UNIT FOUR FUEL POOL goes (any EARTHQUAKE at level 6 or
higher, H.A.A.R.P. WEAPON, or UNDERSEA NUCLEAR DETONATION) at FUKUSHIMA
NUCLEAR POWER STATION it will "END" AT LEAST HALF OF THE EARTH (ENTIRE
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE); and there is the POTENTIAL OF COMPLETE ENDING THE
"ENTIRE PLANET" (SEE THESE VIDEOS: "Fukushima Reactor 4 Spent Fuel Pool
Radioactive Black Dust Caldicott Gettin Out of Dodge"; and "FUKUSHIMA
Spent Fuel Pool #4: The Leaning Tower of HELL" (Arnie Gundersen
(EXPERT)))!
The "GREATEST CONCERN" should be the UNIT FOUR FUEL POOL at
FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR POWER STATION (SEE THESE VIDEOS: "Disaster Lingering:
A. Gundersen on KGO - Fukushima Daiichi UNIT 4" posted by Sowingthewinds
on May 4, 2012 (RADIO INTERVIEW); and "Ground under Fukushima Unit 4
is sinking (More than 30 inches in some areas) Danger of collapse"
posted by MsMilkytheclown on October 7, 2012 (Interview with Mitsuhei
Murata, Former Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland))!
The coal seam gas company Metgasco has put a major
development on hold in northern NSW in response to the state
government's decision to introduce "buffer zones" around residential
areas and ban activity within horse breeding and wine producing regions.
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on
Wednesday morning, Metgasco announced the suspension of its Clarence
Moreton exploration and development program around Casino and parts of
Lismore and Grafton on the NSW north coast.
The company has drilled 52 exploration wells in the area and
was last year granted a coal seam gas production licence for 40 wells.
The company says the decision was taken by the Metgasco board
due to "the uncertain operating environment" created by the NSW
government's recent announcement.
Advertisement
On February 19, the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, announced a
ban on coal seam gas activity within two kilometres of residential areas
and within wine producing and horse breeding areas.
He also announced that the Chief Scientist and Engineer, Mary
O'Kane, will review all coal seam gas activity in NSW, including the
effect on water catchments, and report on any risks by July.
The decision followed a surge in community anger which forced
the energy company AGL to, last month, suspend plans to drill for coal
seam gas beneath thousands of homes in south-western Sydney and ended
the company's plans for the area.
Announcing the Coalition's Strategic Regional Land Use policy
last September, which regulates where and how coal and coal seam gas
mining can occur in NSW, Mr O'Farrell told parliament the government was
"removing uncertainty" for farmers, the industry and landholders.
But the Metgasco statement says changes to the rules in
February "have created an environment of substantial uncertainty for
energy companies in the state".
Metgasco says the timetable for Ms O'Kane's report potentially means six months of regulatory uncertainty and delays.
However, the company indicated that once the regulatory environment is clarified it intends to resume operations.
Metgasco managing director Peter Henderson said the decision
was "very disappointing" but "necessary to preserve shareholder value."
Metgasco, which has experienced strong community opposition
to its operations in the region and suffered a bomb threat just before
Christmas, said it would scale back its operations but maintain a small
presence in the Northern Rivers region to manage community consultation
and maintain key relationships.
The company will rehabilitate most, if not all, wells and facilities located on its permits.
Metgasco said it had spent nearly $100 million in acquiring
its licences and undertaking exploration activities over that time, but
its statement did not mention whether compensation would be sought from
the State government.
The announcement comes a day after federal environment
Minister Tony Burke said the Commonwealth would take an increased
regulatory responsibility for coal seam gas and large coal mines, based
on an assessment of the impact on water resources by the Independent
Expert Scientific Committee.
Metgasco shares have slumped more than 50 per cent this year and closed at 9.3 cents on Tuesday.
The Resources and Energy minister, Chris Hartcher, said it was "a commercial decision of the company”.
We have now launched our Call to Country.
It's a call from the heart of this country, and the people who love it, to demand real action to restrict inappropriate coal and gas mining.
Our new mapping shows that 437 million hectares of our land is covered by coal and gas licences or applications.
That's more than half of Australia and an area 18 times the size of Great Britain. Even our greatest international tourist icons are not safe, with at least 11 of our 16 National Landscapes at threat.
Our Call to Country has been plastered to the window or pinned to the door of almost every Federal electorate in Australia. But that was just the beginning.
Over the next month, we're asking you to take Our Call To Country and meet with your Federal Member of Parliament. Our Federal politicians have shirked their responsibilities for too long - but they have the power to act and now they need to use it.
Don't just stop with your Federal MPs. Keep on taking the Call to Country everywhere it needs to go - pin it to the doors of churches, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, and the offices of federal election candidates. Share it with your friends and families, your colleagues and your social and sporting clubs. If you love Australia, now is the time to act. The country is calling. (Tweet This)
We call on the federal government to: 1. Put in place an urgent moratorium on coal seam gas and other unconventional gas mining. 2. Create no-go zones to protect productive agricultural land, national tourism icons and all residential dwellings from coal and gas mining. 3. Strengthen the Federal environment laws to exclude coal and gas mining from important water sources, cultural heritage sites and sensitive environment areas.
4. Put in place national standards on coal and gas pollution and enforce compliance. 5. Stop using taxpayers' money to provide handouts to big coal and gas corporations and make the miners pay their fair share in taxes. 6. Reject current development proposals for coal ports, mega-mines, dams and unconventional gas wells in significant areas. 7. Conduct research into greenhouse gas emissions from mining and make sure they are properly accounted and fully paid for. 8. Hold a Royal Commission to investigate the management of coal and gas resources by all Australian governments.
Australia: Our country or their quarry?
We have prepared a number of documents and maps that will help you get the word out to your family, friends, and to our politicians, that the federal parliament can act on the issues of coal and coal seam gas mining.
" How the delusion is real,reality is upon us no thanks to a Goverment of mining industries and their idea of a quality of life for us all,ha! And for all that is the evil of an industry with no regard to humanity I doubt we the people will accept your flagrant destruction of our livelihood's. What sort of self-destructing realm are you from to take the food that we eat and air we breath with the spirit of our for-fathers looking on? How can you sleep knowing what a nightmare we have to endure what we have to fight for, our very survival and that of what we love dearly, Earth."
by Admin.
Weather Warfare: Beware the US Military’s Experiments with Climatic Warfare
‘Climatic warfare’ has been excluded from the agenda on climate change.
“HAARP is a weapon of mass destruction, capable of destabilising agricultural and ecological systems globally.” “‘Climatic warfare’ potentially threatens the future of humanity, but has casually been excluded from the reports for which the IPCC received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.”
Pdf version of article on Weather Warfare by Michel Chossudovsky, The Ecologist, December 2007 (pdf)
Rarely acknowledged in the debate on global climate change, the world’s weather can now be modified as part of a new generation of sophisticated electromagnetic weapons. Both the US and Russia have developed capabilities to manipulate the climate for military use.
Environmental modification techniques have been applied by the US military for more than half a century. US mathematician John von Neumann, in liaison with the US Department of Defense, started his research on weather modification in the late 1940s at the height of the Cold War and foresaw ‘forms of climatic warfare as yet unimagined’. During the Vietnam war, cloud-seeding techniques were used, starting in 1967 under Project Popeye, the objective of which was to prolong the monsoon season and block enemy supply routes along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The US military has developed advanced capabilities that enable it selectively to alter weather patterns. The technology, which is being perfected under the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), is an appendage of the Strategic Defense Initiative – ‘Star Wars’. From a military standpoint, HAARP is a weapon of mass destruction, operating from the outer atmosphere and capable of destabilising agricultural and ecological systems around the world.
Weather-modification, according to the US Air Force document AF 2025 Final Report, ‘offers the war fighter a wide range of possible options to defeat or coerce an adversary’, capabilities, it says, extend to the triggering of floods, hurricanes, droughts and earthquakes: ‘Weather modification will become a part of domestic and international security and could be done unilaterally… It could have offensive and defensive applications and even be used for deterrence purposes. The ability to generate precipitation, fog and storms on earth or to modify space weather… and the production of artificial weather all are a part of an integrated set of [military] technologies.’
In 1977, an international Convention was ratified by the UN General Assembly which banned ‘military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques having widespread, long-lasting or severe effects.’ It defined ‘environmental modification techniques’ as ‘any technique for changing –through the deliberate manipulation of natural processes – the dynamics, composition or structure of the earth, including its biota, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, or of outer space.’
While the substance of the 1977 Convention was reasserted in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, debate on weather modification for military use has become a scientific taboo.
Military analysts are mute on the subject. Meteorologists are not investigating the matter and environmentalists are focused on greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Neither is the possibility of climatic or environmental manipulations as part of a military and intelligence agenda, while tacitly acknowledged, part of the broader debate on climate change under UN auspices.
The HAARP Programme
Established in 1992, HAARP, based in Gokona, Alaska, is an array of high-powered antennas that transmit, through high-frequency radio waves, massive amounts of energy into the ionosphere (the upper layer of the atmosphere). Their construction was funded by the US Air Force, the US Navy and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Operated jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research, HAARP constitutes a system of powerful antennas capable of creating ‘controlled local modifications of the ionosphere’. According to its official website,www.haarp.alaska.edu, HAARP will be used ‘to induce a small, localized change in ionospheric temperature so physical reactions can be studied by other instruments located either at or close to the HAARP site’.
1. PLEASE SEND YOUR MOBILE PHONE NUMBER BY RETURN EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES ADVISING NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION ALERTS. 2. 7th February 2013, 2pm DREW HUTTON ARRESTED AT CSG BLOCKADE NEAR KYOGLE Lock the Gate Alliance President Drew Hutton has been arrested at the Doubtful Creek community blockade against coals seam gas, near Kyogle in the Northern Rivers. In a show of peaceful solidarity with the people of the Northern Rivers, Hutton sat in the middle of the road in front of the Doubtful Creek site where Metgasco intend to drill. The community of the Northern Rivers has been protesting against exploratory drilling by Metgasco for two months during which time close to 40 people have been arrested at two different drilling sites. Drew Hutton is the fourth arrest of the day - earlier this morning one of the 'Knitting Nannas' was arrested whilst knitting in a tripod perched high above the road whilst another woman was extracted from a tunnel beneath the road. More than 300 concerned citizens are at the site today with about 100 police also in attendance. One man arrested last month remains in Kempsey Gaol for his opposition to coal seam gas in the region. "When governments refuse to accept responsibility on important issues like coal seam gas, it is up to the community to put an end to this sort of madness," Hutton said earlier today. "I'm here in solidarity with the people of the Northern Rivers and I'm happy to be arrested alongside these brave people. There are times when the most honourable place to be is in gaol" he said. For comment: Boudicca Cerese 0431 513546 Kate Ausburn 0447 657689 Photos of Drew Hutton arrest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lockthegatealliance/sets/72157632703688465/ Photos from throughout the action today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreemediapics/sets/72157632701962557/ Started. Photo of Drew Hutton addressing the community at Doubtful Creek earlier this afternoon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreemediapics/8451290645/in/set- 72157632701962557 3. How to get to Doubtful Creek: a) Approaching from Kyogle Turn west into Anzac Drive at Kyogle Information Centre, go through Geneva and take 2nd left turn into Ettrick Rd and follow to Ettrick village. At Ettrick village turn left into Knights Rd and follow to Blockade. b) Approaching from Lismore From Bentley Rd turn right into Summerland Way at Cedar Point. Go about ½ kilometre then turn left over bridge and then left into Edenville Rd. At Edenville turn right into Pines Rd and follow this road until left turn into Ettrick Rd. At Ettrick village turn left into Knights Rd and follow to Blockade. Started. c) Approaching from Casino On Summerland Way about midway between Casino and Kyogle turn left over McDonalds Bridge and go to Dyrabba. Go though Dyrabba on Bolins Rd and go right on Knights Rd to Blockade. 3. Weather forecaster Aidan advises: Highly destructive Cyclone Metgasco backed by state force is expected to start to move slowly northward from Glenugie this afternoon. This hazardous and erratic unnatural system will bring damaged aquifers and toxic pollution to the forecast area. All emergency personnel throughout the Northern Rivers are requested to remain on high alert for the passage of a dangerous drill rig associated with this destructive event. Residents are advised to prepare themselves by forming locality based emergency response groups and to utilise non violent direct action to protect communities from the effects of this dangerous event. Be warned that destructive cyclone Metgasco is combined with excessive use of state based force and may carry riot police hazards at moderate to extreme levels. All communities in the northern rivers are at risk from this dangerous and destructive system which has occurred as the result of the collusion of a low in public accountability eminating from the Sydney region and and a number of influences from offshore. Use caution if approaching this system. Non violent direct action is recommended as the best defensive response available to embattled communities. for regular updates go to http://www.csgfreenorthernrivers.org/ 4. Glenugie desperation Media Release Wednesday 6th February Severe event warning: One man delays drill rig for 9 hours at Glenugie This morning at 5.30am one man and two women locked themselves on to a 'mad max' vehicle at the gates of the current core drilling site at Glenugie near Grafton. The action comes as the drilling there is finishing and Metgasco prepares to move the rig to Doubtful Creek near Kyogle. Police rescue were in attendance and took the man to Grafton Police Station at 2pm. Up to 70 people were at Glenugie today to show their support and continue their ongoing protest against the drilling activities being undertaken by Metgasco. Local residents have maintained the Glenugie blockade the blockade for 76 days, and true to their words have maintained their resistance to the very last moment of Metgasco’s operation. Started. Explaining why they would delay the rig’s departure Denise Dean spokesperson for Yuraygir Coast and Range Alliance said “While we don't want it here, we don't want it anywhere else either. This filthy industry is a violation of human rights. The risks to public health alone are enough to insist on an immediate halt to CSG exploration and production." Another local resident Sarah Fletcher said "People from across the valley and across the region have come to support us as they know that their communities are also under threat from this destructive industry". While police numbers were low at Glenugie today the Northern Rivers Community is reeling in response to the excessive use of force by the O'Farrell government as it tries to overcome community resistance. “A government that will not listen to its people leaves the community no other option than to take direct action to protect their right to clean air, unpolluted land and a healthy future.” said Lynette Eggins from Clarence Alliance Against CSG. "They have ignored us for too long and the Northern Rivers communities will not give up against the mining company invasion, community resistance is now a reality 365 days a year. The state government is using excessive force to impose this industry on unwilling communities." “Tomorrow is another day as the large group of people at Doubtful Creek await the rig. Numbers have been steadily growing each day and it is likely that once word goes out that the rig is coming we will get even more” said Leah Hobbs spokesperson for Kyogle Group Against Gas. For more information contact: Lynette Eggins (Clarence) 0438 893 390 Leah Hobbs (Kyogle) 0405 791 860 http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/caged-protest-described-as-silly-by- police/1746506/ 5. Man blocks trucks at Doubtful Creek for 6 hours http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/doubtful-creek-protest-underway/1750419/ 6. Glenugie arrestees appear in Grafton court http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/02/11/3687704.htm?site=northcoast 7. As 18 anti-coal seam gas protesters arrested at the Glenugie blockade last month face Grafton court today, around 30 more protesters were holding up mining-operation vehicles at the frontline in the battle against CSG at Doubtful Creek near Kyogle this morning (11th February). http://echonetdaily.echo.net.au/csg-protests-ramp-up/ 8. My name is Peta Bindoff, I live in Lennox Head and a Friend and I are Organising an Anti CSG Walk at Katoomba in the Blue Mountians on the 1st of April at Echo Point. We have a Face Book page Started. called '' The Simple Walk '' where you can get all the details, for those who do not have F/B they can Email us atthesimplewalk@gmail.com or p.eta.b@hotmail.com for details. If you could share this with all your GAG Members that would be great! 9. Innovative blockade sign: “Warning to riot police – hip replacement, handle with care”. 10. A reader has suggested an idea that may enable all of those people who are feeling very frustrated watching on because they have to go to work or care for family etc and can't attend the blockades themselves. Interested people could send emails to both Govt and Shadow ministers saying something like – “I want you to know that I would be protesting at the Blockades against CSG too but I have to go to work/care for family today”. If the Government received floods of emails it would increase the political pressure and add to their awareness of the actual number of voices protesting against CSG. Use Bcc for addresses if you decide to send a bulk email Here is a link to list of the NSW ministers with their contact details, followed by a similar listing for the NSW Shadow Ministry - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parliament/members.nsf/V3ListCurrentMin isters http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/V3ListCurrentShad ow And the Federal equivalents - http://australia.gov.au/topics/government-and-parliament/prime-minister-and- ministry/government-ministry http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamenta ry_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook/Shadow 11. CSG Industry – No longer such a gas. (Good article) http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/independent-australia- journal/investigations/australias-csg-industry-is-no-longer-such-a-gas/ 12. The 78-day camp at the Metgasco test drilling site at Glenugie has been torn down, but it hasn't weakened the resolve of protesters – Grafton concert planned http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/concert-to-be-held-after-csg-court- hearings/1748199/?utm_campaign=News+PM&utm_source=Clarence+Valley+Daily +Examiner&utm_medium=email 13. Dart Energy history: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/dart-energy-to-explore-more-csg- sites-20120516-1yr2x.html Started. 14. Tony Windsor on the politics of CSG http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/windsor-gets-tough-on-csg- 20130205-2dwky.html 15. US and Canada gas export plans threaten Australian industry. http://www.smh.com.au/business/us-and-canada-step-on-the-gas-20130205- 2dwfz.html 16. Richmond MP Justine Elliott’s support for Northern Rivers anti-CSG welcomed http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/csg-activists-welcome-elliots-role- change/1742645/ 17. Online Poll about Justine’s decision: http://www.northernstar.com.au/polls/2013/02/06/did-justine-elliot-do-right- thing-relinquishing-he/results/ 18. Federal Nationals candidate for Page, Kevin Hogan, has joined other North Coast communities in calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration in the region. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/02/12/3688373.htm?§ion=latest&d ate=(none) http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/nats-candidate-taking-easy-path- saffin/1752951/ 19. Metgasco shares went down to a record low 14.5 cents, returning to 15 cents with high selling volumes (8th February). At 3.42pm on 12th February the shares had dropped to 13.5 cents 20. AGL Energy has put its application to develop 66 coal seam gas wells in western Sydney on hold, after encountering strong community opposition and hostility from the federal Government. The Greens MP, Jeremy Buckingham, dismissed the announcement as a "cynical PR stunt by a company desperate to get their contentious project out of the spotlight of a federal election campaign in the marginal electorates of western Sydney". http://www.smh.com.au/environment/agl-suspends-coal-seam-gas-wells- application-20130208-2e2cr.html 21. Is it any wonder the community has lost faith in the system? The mining industry, the bureaucracy, the lobbyists and the government are all parts of the same rotting beast. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/getting-down-and-dirty-on-csg- in-nsw/ Started. 22. Public consultation for Harmonised Regulations ends 28 th February. https://scer.govspace.gov.au/files/2012/12/CSG-Draft-National-Harmonised- Regulatory-Framework.pdf 23. Rugby League legend Darren Lockyer admits he had a negative opinion about coal seam gas until he signed a lucrative three-year contract with Origin Energy's Australia Pacific LNG project. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/darren-lockyer-enlisted-as-origin- spruiker-20130206-2dxf2.html 24. Question marks on the gas productivity of Northern Rivers coal seams http://www.icapenergy.com.au/pop.news.php?id=1915 25. Alternative Energy prospects from the USA Department of Energy http://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/alternative-energy-news-steven-chu-steps- down-as-secretary-of-the-department-of-energy/858777/ 26. Former Queensland Government alleged to have put pressure on public servants to fast track $34 billion projects http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-11/claims-former-qld-government-put- pressure-on-gas-approvals/4511904?section=qld Started.
Subject: Orange Alert Glenugie and Doubtful Creek
ORANGE ALERT: Drilling finished at Glenugie. Rig could move anytime in
next 24 hours.
Probably heading to Doubtful Creek. Actions likely at both Glenugie
and Doubtful Creek.
Please get to where you can.
Red alert for Doubtful Ck will come when rig moves.
ALERT: Drilling finished @ Glenugie 25Jan13 3pm.
- Rig could move at any time in the next 24 hours; - Most likely heading
to Doubtful Creek; - Actions likely at both ends; - Get to where you
can; - New Alert will come if drill rig moves from Glenugie. 'Non Violent but Non Negotiable' Doubtful Creek Action: ONGOING January 2013
- 15th January 2013: more than forty anti-CSG activists have rallied at
the entrance of Eden Creek State Forest in Doubtful Creek, after work
started this morning to complete a drilling pad for Metgasco's coal seam
gas production.
For updates on the Doubtful Creek Action click here Can you help with these items?: Doubtful Creek Wish List Glenugie Action: ONGOING January 2013
- Still ongoing peaceful protest at Glenugie, with community support. Now that the Drill rig is at the site.
For updates on the Glenugie Action click here or visit the CsgFreeNorthernRivers Facebook page
- 7th January 2013: Police took about 7 hours to remove Northern
Rivers’ community members from the front of the farm gate and let
METGASCO and Luca’s vehicles enter the Glenugie well drill site (this
after about 50 days of blockade).
Residents are so determined to protect their region from the
environmental disaster that unconventional gas production can cause,
that they are keen to be arrested for the cause.
PRESS / MEDIA RELEASES far below or click here. * The fight of our lives, for our lives continues on the Northern Rivers.
Drill rig is also expected at other locations. Community minded people
are on the ground defending land at a Metgasco drill site near Grafton –
Glenugie, BUT other locations are set to be drilled by the same drill
rig: - at Banyabba, Clarence Valley and - at Doubtful Creek, Kyogle.
Soon after that the drill rigs will roll into Bentley, Richmond Valley. click here for more details (at Coal Seam Gas News site) 'Risky Business - watch the Al Jazeera CSG doco on YouTube!'
Some of the world's largest energy giants are moving into eastern
Australia and investing billions of dollars to exploit coal seam gas
reserves, but they are being met by a groundswell of public protest and a
rising chorus of concern about the long-term impacts of coal seam gas
extraction on the nation's health, environment and land.
'Call to Action - the Time is Now!' Video from CSG Free Northern Rivers on YouTube. People of the Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia, stand up to invasive gas fields which threaten our land, water, and air. Join your fellow Australians to fight for a safe, sustainable future
NEWS: - Glenugie action 21stNov12, PRIME7 News - click here - A Lack of Trust on Governments - Sydney
Communities Question CSG - 27Nov12 ABC1 News. Quentin Dempster visits
the community of Nattai, whose local council have declared themselves
Australia's first CSG-free town. He also talks to geologist
geomorphologist Dr Ann Young with wider concerns about aquifer impacts
in the Southern Coalfield. click here - Quentin Dempster talks to Planning Minister Brad Hazzard
about NSW planning issues around Coal Seam Gas, mining and water
protection, the Planning Minister cannot defend Development Regulations,
he gets red on the face, scratches his eye, bites his lips and is lost
for words and gets confused. No plan for loss of real state value... click here *** Coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers *** Exploration for coal seam gas
has been occurring in the Northern Rivers since the early 2000's, with
almost the entire region now covered by petroleum exploration licenses
and applications. As awareness of the negative impacts of unconventional gas mining
overseas has spread, and as we begin to see the rollout of massive coal
seam gas fields over the border in Queensland, opposition to this
industry in the region has steadily grown. From the birth of the
Keerrong Gas Sqaud in late 2010 to the formation of Mid-Clarence Group
Against Gas in March 2012, there has been a mushrooming of community
groups, with over twenty different groups now active in the fight to protect the land, water and precious natural assets of the region. Opposition to CSG in the Northern Rivers
From rallies and marches
numbering in the thousands, to large demonstrations outside gas company
premises and politicians offices, and with thousands of letters to
politicians and extensive submissions to government inquiries, the
people of the region have mobilised in an unprecedented fashion. This
people’s movement brings together people from all parts of society -
from farmers to nurses and from retirees to university students, from
environmental scientists to carpenters, and from teachers to small
business owners. It unites people of all political persuasions in a
movement that is growing in strength and diversity with each passing day
we live in interesting times, made infinitely more
interesting by the actions of our governments, both State and Federal.
While the Federal Opposition makes climate sceptic comments, the Federal
Government acts like a climate sceptic in its lunatic pursuit of
coal and coal seam gas exports.
I made critical reference to the Federal
Government's White Paper on Energy in my last submission to the Nimbin Good
Times - Coal Seam Gas - can it get any dirtier?.
Alas much
of the important stuff was cut from the text, including detailed scientific
references to fugitive emissions; reference to and detailed quotations from a
major critical Australian study of CSG and brief criticism of the Energy White
Paper.
So feeling a little frustrated I thought I would send you all the
original text in pdf format (CSG can it get any dirtier - read that first);
Sydney Morning Herald comment on the Energy White Paper (White Paper Disaster -
read that second). The WP can be downloaded from the web - the section on CSG
reads like a free-market-dogma hand-out from the industry!
The superb CSG
Analysis by Williams et al (CSG-Analysis-Report - read appropriate parts when
you can) is attached in full.
And for dessert two short items from
The Land dealing with the Gateway Process (CSG loophole fears and
Trampled in a gateway crush) - the second of these will certainly resonate with
some local farmers.
The gateway panel will comprise three members, "if
practicable" one with expertise in agriculture, one with expertise in
hydrogeology and one with expertise in mining and petroleum - and if it's
"not practicable"? The Minister can appoint alternate members and these must
have expertise in one of the above? The quorum is 2! Check it out it's all up
there on the web at
Please see the invite detailed below, and circulate where possible:
SOUTHERN
CROSS UNIVERSITY
LESS
Seminar on Thursday 8th November 2012
"The
Paradox of Coal Seam Gas & Groundwater:
Impacts vs No Impacts?"
A
presentation by Dr Gavin Mudd
12.30pm at
Y Block (Y204), Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Coal seam gas presents substantial long-term risks to groundwater resources
which need to be carefully assessed, monitored and managed. The CSG industry
in Australia is less than a decade old and our experience is therefore limited
to be able to understand the true nature and extent of long-term risks to
groundwater. On the one hand, the industry claim that no impacts have yet been
proved from CSG in Australia - but on the polar opposite side communities
living in CSG areas are claiming extensive impacts such as polluted water and
air leading to major risks of health impacts as well as reductions in
groundwater levels. Obviously, both claims can't be valid at the same time.
This presentation will provide food for thought for all concerned about the
groundwater risks of CSG - community, researchers, industry and government
alike.
Dr Gavin Mudd is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at
Monash University. His major areas of research are in environmental and
resource sustainability, and his numerous publications include papers on
mining impacts, water resource modelling systems and the impacts of mining on
water systems. He has also written a Chapter in The Ten Commitments -
Reshaping the Lucky Country’s Environment.
