22.1 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Gas-well resistance planned ahead

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Wild dog breeding season can increase attacks on domestic dogs

Local Land Services are reminding landowners to be aware of wild dogs as they have received five reports of domestic dogs being attacked and killed by wild dogs in the last two months.

Bay FM community radio celebrates digital upgrade

Volunteers from Byron and across the Northern Rivers celebrated nearly $100,000 worth of new studio equipment at Bay FM Community Radio station on the weekend.

Safety and preparation saves lives on the water

A large number of boaters are expected to hit the water over the Easter long weekend and Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters to be prepared and log on to the Marine Rescue NSW app.

Cinema: Wicked Little Letters

Based on a true scandal that stunned 1920s England, Wicked Little Letters centres on neighbours Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

Seize the Decade report outlines benefits of renewables

The Climate Council says many more Australian families can directly benefit from rooftop solar and batteries under a new plan that spells out how we can electrify the nation and cut climate pollution this decade.

Bentley locals and anti-CSG campaigners don't mince their words. Photo David Lowe
Bentley locals and anti-CSG campaigners don’t mince their words. Photo David Lowe

Luis Feliu

Locals at Bentley west of Lismore were joined by anti coal-seam gas (CSG) campaigners on the weekend at the site of the proposed Metgasco gas-drilling well to map out a plan of resistance.

Around 80 people gathered at the site saying planned protest actions will draw hundreds to the grazing property in around eight weeks when the embattled gas company tries to set up its exploration well for what it says is ‘conventional gas’.

But CSGFree Northern Rivers spokesman Ian Gaillard told Echonetdaily the description is a misnomer as the controversial ‘fracking’ method of extraction was likely to be used if the pilot production well finds gas drilling there viable.

‘They’re looking for tight sands (sandstone) which require stimulation (fracking) and use of acidic chemicals,’ Mr Gaillard said.

‘Instead of preparing an exit strategy from  the northern rivers where there is overwhelming opposition to CSG, Metgasco is seeking to using an exploration well to drill for tight sands.

Mr Gaillard said road works and pad construction for the gas-drilling site were expected to begin soon and drilling works around March-April.

Surveying the lay of the land for public access around the proposed gas-drilling site. Photo David Lowe
Surveying the lay of the land for public access around the proposed gas-drilling site. Photo David Lowe

Bentley locals and anti-CSG campaigners at the weekend assessed roads and public areas around the site for safe use during actions, and discussed strategy for non-violent peaceful protests when the works begin.

The company, which early last year put on hold its operations after massive community protests against its plans for CSG wells around the northern rivers, announced it would explore the Bentley site soon after the coalition won the federal election in September.

The move angered campaigners and communities, many of which had by then had officially declared themselves ‘gasfield free’ after street and road surveys and council resolutions in several shires.

The Metgasco plan and access for the Bentley exploration well was made after the landowner of the grazing property made a deal with the company and gave permission.

 

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

3 COMMENTS

  1. The fundamental problem these people face is that the industry has been allowed to establish itself in Queensland. The anti-CSG battle in Queensland was destroyed by the arrival of The Greens and Drew Hutton. The Anti-CSG movement here was divided by Hutton and The Green’s endorsement of violence and lies, not to mention their sabotage of the first anti-CSG blockade in Australia, indeed in the world. While Hutton and The Greens have shifted the focus to NSW the industry here is going gung ho, there is no effective opposition and to all intents and purposes the battle has been lost. If you want to save Bentley and anywhere else for that matter, the CSG industry in Queensland must be shut down. Nothing else will save you and Lock the Gate Alliance and The Greens won’t save you any more than they didn’t save us. All they have done here is sell us out.
    Graeme Henderson,
    Tara

  2. I’m furious that Metgasco would dare to consider trying to deceive our community. They know they’re not wanted here. They may have Thomas George’s son on their payroll but they don’t have Kevin Hogan on their side, or anyone else who has the intelligence to understand what they are proposing. Historically this area of Bentley was referred to as Disputed Plains for good reason. Metgasco won’t be the first to go broke here. Check with the historical society, it’s a fascinating story, good enough for a great Australian movie plot.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.