Around a thousand people converged on Martin Place last Sunday in a powerful display of rural communities united in their battle against the expansion of coal mining and coal seam gas extraction.
Braving a deluge, members of the Running Stream Water Users Association travelled by bus and train to Sydney to join forces with other grass-roots organisations like the Mid-Western Community Action Network and the Rylstone District Environment Society to demonstrate their concerns about the impacts of coal mining on water resources and agricultural land.
Bev Smiles represented local groups by taking to the stage alongside speakers such as Independent candidate for the Upper Hunter Tim Duddy and John Thomson from Lock The Gate Alliance who, along with the Nature Conservation Council of Australia, organised the pre-election rally. Ms. Smiles spoke about the unanimous decision by the Mid-Western Regional Council to call for a moratorium on coal mining until the impacts of this industry are fully understood.
Councillor Julie Lyford from Gloucester gave an alarming account of the complete disregard demonstrated by the State government towards local concerns in her area which is also under threat from destructive coal related industries. She called on people to “uphold community democracy” and continue the noble fight to protect our lands for future generations.
The protesters then marched down Elizabeth Street to the State government offices at Governor Phillip Tower where they heard from Independent Federal MP Rob Oakeshott whose electorate of Lyne is currently targeted for 110 coal seam gas wells. Mr. Oakeshott threw his support behind the movement calling on the next State government to review such planning decisions as a matter of urgency. Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann also spoke in support of a moratorium on the coal and coal seam gas industry. But despite invitations, no member from either major party attended the rally.
Posted for Nell
Posted for Nell
No comments:
Post a Comment