The campaign against Fracking
Some good news (as in media coverage) from the Tara front.
The campaign against coal seam gas exploration and mining (known as fracking) is gathering steam.
The Lock the Gate Alliance (check out their website at http://lockthegate.org.au) have done a great job in bringing the issue to national attention.
At the local level in the Northern Rivers a number of groups have been highlighting the concerns about fracking to very good effect.
Keerrong Gas Squad and Northern Rivers Guardians in particular have galvanised public support from across the community.
A growing number of local councils are adding their names to the list of communities denmanding a moratorium on fracking until and unless it can be proven safe.
Tony Abbott’s suggestion that it is up to us to prove the process unsafe has been roundly rejected in the Northern Rivers.
Northern Rivers Guardians is working in collaboration with the Caldera Environment Centre to organise a United Community Gathering in Murwillumbah on Saturday 14 May. It will start with a march through the CBD of Murwillumbah at 11am and be followed by speakers in Knox Park. We are encouraging families and everyone else to make a day of it. Bring a picnic lunch and show the government that you are concerned while having a day out with other community members.
Some things you can do right now:
Two websites where you can register your interest in publicising the whole fracking mess are:
1. GetUp.org
GetUp.org is a grass-roots organization helping to raise awareness to a number of issues facing us here in Australia. They are running a poll to determine their upcoming campaigns. We need to get this matter to number 1 on the getup.org website so pls take the time to read the notes below and cast your votes. Coal Seam Gas mining is on the list and currently ranked 3rd (19/4/11). Since we first published this suggestion CSG has risen from 11th to 3rd in the poll. Please take the time to register and cast your vote in support. Everyone is permitted multiple votes on the issue. The web link is: http://suggest.getup.org.au/forums/60819-campaign-ideas/suggestions/1512631-stop-the-fracking-coal-seam-gas-industry – the vote button is quite small on the top left and you can cast up to 10 votes so please make sure you use all 10.
2. SBS Insight
SBS Insight is a one-of-a-kind news talk show that engages a wide community in debate on a number of issues. It is time for the issues relating to coal and coal seam gas mining get the air-time they need. Please take the time to post a suggestion on the show’s website to have these issues the subject of an upcoming show: http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/suggest
Other actions you can take are listed on the Action Needed page of this website.