Feb 26 2013
Sea of hands support gasfield free region at Tamworth public meeting
Media Release 26 February 2013
Feb 26 2013
Media Release 26 February 2013
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 25 2013
Media Alert 22 February 2013
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 19 2013
Media Release 19th February 2013
Residents of north-west NSW have expressed dismay that the CSG law changes put forward by Premier Barry O’Farrell this morning seem to do nothing to protect farmers, food-producing land or natural areas in the region.
“If Barry O’Farrell is telling us this morning that CSG mining is not safe – then it is not safe anywhere, not in Sydney and not in the Gunnedah Basin. What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander” said David Quince, farmer and chairperson of the Mullaley Gas Pipeline Accord.
“As far as we can see, there is absolutely nothing in these changes for north-west NSW. It looks to us as if the Liberal party has taken action to look after its voters in Sydney for a political quick fix, but the National Party has hung us out to dry” he said.
“Barry O’Farrell said that families in residential areas should not have to worry about their quality of life being affected by noise and visual impacts – but what about our families? Why should we be treated differently?” said Penny Blatchford, farmer and spokesperson for Bellata Gurley Action Group Against Gas.
“If coal seam gas is unsafe in Campbelltown, then it is unsafe everywhere; if coal seam gas is a risk to wine-growing and horse-breeding areas in the Hunter Valley, then it is a risk to our food and fibre producing areas in the north-west.
“What do we have to do to force this government to protect our farms and businesses – plant vines and build stables?” she asked.
“There are a number of CSG licences in the north-west that are soon to be renewed by the NSW Government, including controversial licences over Bellata, the Pilliga, Coonamble and the Liverpool Plains” said Carmel Flint, spokesperson for Lock The Gate Alliance.
“The NSW Government should put those licences on hold, and put in place a proper moratorium on all coal seam gas drilling until the many risks acknowledged by Premier O’Farrell today have been properly quantified” she said.
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 19 2013
Media Release 18th February 2013
The results of the first community survey on coal seam gas in the north-west region have returned an overwhelming vote for the Mullaley area to be declared coal seam gas free.
Local people have surveyed every landowner and resident along all the rural roads and villages from Mullaley to Tambar Springs over the last two months, with 98.5% voting to declare the area ‘CSG Free’ .
On Friday evening at the Mullaley Hall, landowners and residents celebrated the results and presented declarations of their CSG Free roads to Councillor David Quince Gunnedah Shire Council and Anne-Louise Capel Warrumbungle Shire Council – with the request that the declarations be handed to the Mayor of Gunnedah and Coonabarabran Councils.
Spokesperson Robyn King stated that “98.5% is a great result by any standards. When it comes as the result of a survey asking ‘Do you want your road/land gasfield free?’ And 98.5% of people survey said YES, it is an amazing result.”
The survey , based on an approach that has been applied successfully in the Northern Rivers, provided the community an opportunity to speak out against CSG in this region.
A large crowd gathered in the Mullaley Hall on Friday night to eagerly await results of the survey. Loud applause and cheers erupted when the result was announced. Some people were visibly moved to know the extent of support in the district.
“The survey has proved a wonderful way of uniting our community. We know we will stand together against CSG. The declarations that were handed to the local councillors said it all ‘…this road is gasfield free. Protected by the will of the community‘” Robyn King said.
Residents of each road surveyed were presented with a sign to be erected clearly stating that this road/land is gasfield free. More celebrations are planned as each sign is erected along the many roads surveyed.
“Santos have stated that they will not force land access. These declarations send a very clear message to Santos and all levels of government – we don’t want coal seam gas and we are determined to protect our land and water” Robyn King said.
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 12 2013
The EPBC approval of the Boggabri coal expansion can be found here
The EPBC approval of the Maules Creek coal project can be found here
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 11 2013
Lock the Gate – Media Release 11th February 2013
COURT CHALLENGE LOOMS AS BURKE BACKFLIPS ON BIG COAL AND GAS
The Gillard Government has continued its woeful record of capitulation to big coal and gas mining by today approving three highly contentious mining projects – two coal mines near Maules Ck in north-west NSW and a coal seam gas field near Gloucester.
The Federal Government has now approved over 18,000 coal seam gas wells in Australia and every single coal mine that has been referred to it. Legal challenges are now likely according to the Lock the Gate Alliance.
“Last week Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke slammed the NSW Government for inadequate controls on mining, and this week he has caved in and signed off on their failings” said Carmel Flint, spokesperson for Lock The Gate Alliance.
“Last week Tony Burke deferred a decision on the Maules Ck and Boggabri coal mines until the end of April, and this week he has rushed out and approved the mines.
“He didn’t even take the time to properly investigate the evidence provided to him that the mines proposal were based on false and misleading information.
“The Minister has yet again simply folded to the demands of big coal and gas corporations. It is a very sad day today for the people of Maules Creek and Gloucester – their lives will change forever as a result of what the Minister has done today.
“Many will no longer be able to live on their farms and properties and those who stay are likely to experience serious health impacts, their property values will plummet and their small communities will be split apart. The places they love will be torn apart.
“These decisions reflect both a complete failure of the Federal legal system and a profound failure of political courage.
“Rarely, if ever, have such environmentally damaging developments been approved – the coal mines will destroy a critically endangered ecosystem and an important koala population; the gasfield will threaten underground water resources.
“Community groups and concerned citizens have already launched a legal fighting fund and we are almost certain to see these matters end up in court” she said.
Information or comment: Carmel Flint 0400 521474
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 11 2013
The decision by Tony Burke to clear 4000 Ha of the Leard Forest for an open cut coal mine that will produce more greenhouse gases than 167 individual countries can be challenged on legal grounds.
There are 3 different actions that may flow and a fighting fund has been setup to accept funds. The details are below.
BSB: 325-185
Account number: 03547132
Account Name: Maules Creek Community Council Inc
If required, please email upthecreek2382@gmail.com to obtain a receipt. Tell your friends on twitter and facebook using the buttons below:-
I just donated to the #Leard Forest Fighting Fund. https://maulescreek.org/maules-creek-leard-forest-fighting-fund/ Together we protect our forests, farmland and #climate from #coal
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 7 2013
Lock the Gate – Media Release 7th February 2013
WISE DECISION TO DEFER FEDERAL MINE APPROVALS LEAVES NSW GOVERNMENT EXPOSED
Lock The Gate Alliance says a decision by the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to delay a decision on two coal mines near Boggabri in north-west NSW, including the Whitehaven Maules Ck Coal Project, has exposed gaping holes in the NSW planning process which approved the mines.
The timeframe for making a federal decision on the mines has been delayed until the 30th April.
“We welcome the wise decision by Tony Burke today to defer a decision on the two proposed coal mines in Leard State Forest” said Carmel Flint, spokesperson for Lock The Gate Alliance.
“There was strong evidence to suggest that the information provided by the companies on which he had to base his decision was incorrect and grossly inadequate.
“HIs decision contrasts sharply with the approach of the NSW Government – which has been to rush through approval for these mines no matter what the cost to the environment and the community or how inadequate the science.
“The NSW Government is now left looking incredibly exposed – the planning process did not even identify that the proposed offsets for the mine were mapped incorrectly by the companies.
“In fact, the NSW planning process is so weak that there is no independent study done of the proposed mine offsets – it is left to the miners to hire consultants to do their own assessments.
“This is particularly worrying in relation to the Maules Ck mine where there have been political donations made by the proponent to the National Party and where ex-National Party politicians are holding key roles such as chairman of the board.
“Instead of attacking the Federal Minister, the NSW Government should now urgently commence an investigation as to whether it has approved the two mines based on false and misleading information, and to review the process it has for accepting mining consultants information” she said.
Information or comment: Carmel Flint 0400 521474
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By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Feb 6 2013
Lock the Gate – Media Release 6th February 2013
D-DAY FOR MINISTER – DECISION TIME FOR MINES MIRED IN CONTROVERSY
Lock The Gate Alliance has called on the Federal Environment Minister to reject the proposed Boggabri coal mines tomorrow, including the Whitehaven Maules Ck Project, or to expect legal problems. A decision is due on the mines under Federal Environment laws on the 7th February.
An independent scientific study released two weeks ago indicated the environmental assessments on which the mines were based was flawed and that the data used was incorrect.
“We are calling on the Federal Environment Minister to think long and hard about this one – it would be a very bad precedent to approve these mines based on false and incorrect information” said Carmel Flint, campaign co-ordinator with Lock The Gate Alliance.
“The man at the centre of the ANZ hoax, Jonathan Moylan, has been interviewed by ASIC and subject to heavy investigation – equal legal rigor needs to be applied to Whitehaven and allegations that they have sought a mining approval based on false information.
“If the Minister approves these mines without an independent inquiry or investigation, he will undermine the integrity of the Federal environment laws with a single stroke.
“There is no doubt that the legality of any decision will be in question and that the most likely consequence is a long and contested process through the courts.
“The proposed coal mines will clear over 4,000 hectares of Leard State Forest, destroy a critically endangered ecosystem and harm numerous threatened species including the Koala.
“We are calling on the Minister to reject the mines outright or to extend the timeframe and commission a rigorous independent investigation into the information on which Whitehaven and the other miners have based their claims” she said.
Information or comment: Carmel Flint 0400 521474
The author of the independent study is also available for interview on request.
By MCCC • Uncategorized •
Mar 1 2013
Boggabri Coal Protest Aquittal triggers calls for Police to act against miners
MEDIA RELEASE 1ST MARCH 2013
In Narrabri Local Court today, Lock the Gate campaigner Carmel Flint was acquitted of three charges arising from a protest at the Boggabri Coal mine last year.
Ms Flint had been charged with entering and remaining on inclosed land and hindering the working of mining equipment. The latter offence carries a maximum 7 year gaol term.
Another local citizen, 84 year old birdwatcher Russ Watts, had charges against him for a separate protest last year at the same mine withdrawn earlier this week.
This follows the recent withdrawal of charges against two women from Fullerton Cove for a protest against coal seam gas mining in their local area last year.
“My acquittal and the withdrawal of charges against Mr Watts and the Fullerton residents suggests that the police pursuit of community protestors has been heavy-handed and unnecessary.
“We are now asking the NSW police to show equal vigour in enforcing the law against mining companies and pursuing the legal cloud hanging over the Maules Ck coal mine.
“In particular, we are calling for a police inquiry into the recent leaking of documents relating to the Maules Ck mine which led to its subsequent approval by the Federal Environment Minister.
“We believe the NSW police should be urgently investigating the source of the leak, for what purpose the documents were leaked, and whether the mining company had any involvement.
“As the long shadow of the ICAC corruption inquiry hangs over the administration of mining in NSW, the police should be taking the strongest possible action to prove to a concerned community that the mining industry is not a law unto itself.
“I would personally like to thank my solicitor, Peter Long, for his generous and capable representation in court today” she said.
By MCCC • Uncategorized •