21.5 C
Byron Shire
March 27, 2024

Battle of Gloucester comes to northern rivers

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's offical, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

Could the future of the Richmond River be a clean and healthy one?

Imagine a drinkable, swimmable, fishable Richmond River? That is the aim of the Richmond Riverkeepers Association.

Casuarina cricketers too strong for Mullumbimby Brunswick in grand final

Mullumbimby Brunswick Cricket Club (MBCC) had a very successful season finishing second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season with 13 wins and 4 losses, but fell short of winning the grand final against the Casuarina Crocs.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

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.

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

Gloucester beef farmer Ed Robinson will talk about the CSG industry's  impact on farms in his region, at Mullumbimby tomorrow and Lismore on Saturday. Photo: Treefaerie for Cloudcatcher Media
Gloucester beef farmer Ed Robinson will talk about the CSG industry’s impact on farms in his region, at Mullumbimby tomorrow and Lismore on Saturday. Photo: Tree Faerie for Cloudcatcher Media

Farmers and residents from Gloucester on the mid north coast, under siege from coal-seam gas (CSG) exploration, will be joined by campaigners from Lock the Gate and GetUp! in Lismore and Mullumbimby tomorrow and Saturday to update northern rivers locals on the ongoing fight against the controversial industry.

Last week mining giant AGL announced it would sell back three of its CSG licences in to the NSW government, an that it would write-down $193 milllion in the value of its Gloucester gas project.

The further delay to the company’s final investment decision for CSG at Gloucester was welcomed by communities there no longer under active licences.

But campaigners say that for the people of Gloucester, it’s not over yet as they are still living with the daily reality of pilot production wells on their doorstep and ongoing uncertainty about the future of the project that could ruin their valley.

The information sessions in the northern rivers, called ‘What the Frack Happened at Gloucester?’, will be held at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall tomorrow, Friday, 17 July, at 6.30pm and at the Italo Club in Lismore on Saturday at 6.30pm.

Residents from Gloucester will give updates on what’s happening across NSW and what people in the northern rivers region can do to help.

Gloucester beef cattle farmer Ed Robinson said northern rivers locals had been ‘a great support to us’.

‘Our community is very small and we are up against a large company,’ Mr Robinson said.

‘We’re in a difficult situation, the rules the government has put in place for everywhere else in NSW don’t apply to us because the Waukivory gas project was already underway when they made them,’ he said.

‘If this project goes ahead in our valley, people in our community may have to live with wells only 200 metres from their homes,’ he said.

Elly Bird, regional coordinator for Gasfield Free Northern Rivers said another speaker, Dan Robbins, has been working with communities in Camden, where AGL operate the largest producing gasfield in NSW.

‘Dan has been documenting a worrying pattern of health symptoms, some people there are living only 45 metres from gas wells,’ Ms Bird said.

‘We’ll also give an update on what’s happening here in the northern rivers, our fight isn’t over yet and there’s plenty people can do to help,’ she said.

‘There are some really simple things people can do that can make a difference, including switching their power away from power companies, like AGL, that invest in CSG.’

Other speakers include Gloucester valley resident Nicky Coombes, GetUp! Better Power project manager Lily Dempster, and Lock the Gate’s Western Sydney coordinator Dan Robbins.


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.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

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.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.