Actions Likely at Both Glenugie and Doubtful Creek.

  Kyogle Group Against Gas

Mail out 13th February 2013

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?&section=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.

Maps to both places are on website: csgfreenorthernrivers.org

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

Above Information provided by CSG Free Northern Rivers