Lock the Gate Alliance and Gasfield Free Northern Rivers have welcomed media reports that Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader Troy Grant is calling for a halt to coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers, and congratulated the Deputy Premier on his stance.
"After tireless work over four years by the community in the Northern Rivers we are overjoyed to see that Deputy Premier Troy Grant has heard the communities concern and is ready to help protect them from the threat of unconventional gas,” said Gasfield Free Northern Rivers spokesperson Dean Draper.
"Deputy Troy Grant joins National Party MLC Ben Franklin and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis in his opposition to coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers. Earlier this month Mr Franklin promised to present a motion to the National Party Conference that would help deliver a gasfield free Northern Rivers.
"The National Party Conference coming up this weekend is a perfect opportunity for the Party to demonstrate that they will listen and act on the concerns of farmers and landholders by making the Northern Rivers 'gasfield free'" he said.
"The NSW election sent the Nationals a clear message -- protect the community or risk losing previously stalwart seats like Ballina and Lismore. The Government needs to heed the very clear messages being sent to them by people facing mining conflicts all over regional New South Wales" said Georgina Woods, spokesperson for Lock the Gate Alliance.
"Unconventional gas and the Northern Rivers do not mix. We urge the National Party to use the National Party conference this weekend to show that actions speak louder than words, and declare the Northern Rivers gasfield free,” said Ms Woods