Vanguard: Farmers to lead big anti-CSG rally on May 1

Monday, April 30, 2012

Farmers to lead big anti-CSG rally on May 1

Vanguard May 2012 p. 8

Jim H.

(Left, Rural communities mobilise against coal seam gas projects in NSW)

A farmer-led coalition that involves stop coal and coal seam gas (CSG) groups, online protest group GetUp!, a peak wine industry body, a thoroughbred association, and even the Country Women’s Association, will coordinate a mass protest at NSW parliament on May 1.

The Barry O’Farrell coalition government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Policy fails to meet a pre-election promise to protect key land and water resources from the coal and CSG industries. In fact, the draft policy fails to rule out 1 inch of NSW to coal and CSG interests.

(Above: 2011 rally against coal seam gas in St Peters, a Sydney surburb 4kms from the CBD)

“Protecting our precious land and water is an issue which affects everyone in NSW. The seriousness of this issue is refl ected in the diverse backgrounds of those prepared to march shoulder to shoulder to Parliament House on 1May,” said NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson on April 3.

She continued, “In the past 10 years, we have seen an unprecedented escalation of mining and coal seam gas activity across the state”, which “threaten the long-term sustainability of our land, water, environment and the future of other vital industries and regional communities.

(Above: Newton, Sydney coal seam gas protest, 2011)

“Communities everywhere understand this issue is too important to let the government back away from its commitment. They won’t let that happen.”

In addition to NSW Farmers, the rally is supported by the Caroona Coal Action Group, the Country Women’s Association, the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association, the Lock the Gate Alliance, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, the Southern

Highlands Coal Action Group, GetUp!, Stop CSG Sydney, Stop CSG Illawarra and other groups.

The May 1 “Protect our land and water rally” starts at noon at Martin Place, between Philip and Elizabeth Streets, for a 12:30pm march on parliament. NSW Farmers is also urging residents to lodge a submission with the government on the draft land use policy before the May 3 close of submissions.

This is a great development that all Australians should support.

It is the type of action that can develop closer relationships between city and country, as well as developing the strength of the forces opposing those who will stop at nothing to rape the land for a few dollars.