Farmers, traditional owners and tourism operators call for “fair go” on coal and gas mining

An unusual alliance of farmers, traditional owners, tourism operators and conservationists from across Australia have come together in Canberra this week to highlight the health, social, cultural and environmental threats posed by coal and unconventional gas mining.

The delegation, brought together by the Lock the Gate Alliance, will meet with more than 30 ministers and members of parliament over the next three days.

A convoy of trucks carrying a coal seam gas drill rig in the Pilliga forest of North West NSW has been successfully blockaded this morning by a 58-year-old farmer who has attached himself with metal piping to a rig truck.

A new report released today highlights considerable benefits for Queenslanders if the expansion of the New Acland mine does not proceed. The Oakey Coal Action Alliance (OCAA) commissioned the report, The Acland Sustainable Energy Plan. Written by renewable energy consultant, Trevor Berrill, the report says the region has far more to gain through sustainable farming and energy production than by increasing fossil-fuel mining.

More than 600 farmers and residents gathered in Narrabri last night to hear Wyoming Rancher, John Fenton, describe the devastating impacts of unconventional gas mining on his water, his farming business and his family.

This followed a protest action in the Pilliga earlier in the afternoon where several hundred farmers gathered to oppose the fast-track for the Narrabri coal seam gas project announced last week by Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner.