Evening: Another peaceful rig free day at the Glenugie blockade. Visits from the Aussie Helpers with Christmas hampers, a local councillor and a very supportive anti-CSG farmer buoyed the spirits of blockaders as we watch and wait for the arrival of the rig. Please come and spend some time in camp and back up the locals who have now been on site for four weeks shining the spotlight of community awareness on this reckless industry. Big thanks to those who have been sending food and other supplies and spending a day or or more with us here- the support from all over the region from the catchments of the Tweed to the mid-Clarence, headwaters of the Nymboida and south to the Coffs Coast has been so heartening and the locals are very grateful for the support. There has also been awesome support from local grafton businesses supplying food and other essentials for which are greatly appreciated by the protestors.
Morning: Come along today to Glenugie (or Casino) and join the peaceful community protest! Drill expected today at any time. All support very much welcomed. Click Here for Glenugie map
Activity could happen at any time and it’s only numbers that will prevent it.
Please remember to adhere to principles of non violent direct action at all times. *** Peaceful Protest ***
Bring: food, drinks, banners, signs, good manners and pack for all weather conditions.See you there to protect our land, water and air from unsafe CSG!
12th December:
- 2:30pm: The drill rig and other large machinery is still in the Metgasco compound in Casino. Two trucks (cabs) and the drivers were sent home this morning. The police came to remind about not blocking the roads, and some new signs went up, telling the carpark, out the front is private property, “no trespassing” and the side entrance is “Emergency exit do not block”. More people needed there to keep observing and go back there tomorrow (13Dec).
- 8.45am: Drill rig is still in compound at Metgasco offices. Two prime movers have left, apparently (according to the drivers) they were heading back to QLD. It is assumed these movers were to take items down to Glenugie. A merry party of about 25 kind souls are keeping watch outside the offices, while another convoy of cars does a check of all of Metgasco sites to ensure no other activity. Cover at Metgasco is requested for after 12 noon today to take over from those that have watched through the night.
- 4.30am: at Metgasco offices in Casino: good crowd there, uneventful so far. The community watch van “Patrol One” is there looking very classy.
11th December:
Glenugie protest continued today. No vehicle movements at all. Drilling delayed for another day at Glenugie, community stance is strong against coal seam gas invasion of their valley.
The community continue the protest to protect their land, water and air from the insidious CSG industry.
Everyone’s presence at the site would be appreciated as DR (drill rig) day draws closer . . . come along tomorrow and join the peaceful community protest! Stay tuned for Alerts and Updates on this space.
The drill rig at the Metgasco office, Bruxner Highway, Casino, next to the Clydesdale Motel. Didn’t go anywhere today.
- 4:20pm: more Non-Violent Direct Action tomorrow at Glenugie (136 Avenue Road, on Google Maps Avenue Road is call “Golden Mile Road”. The site is on your left, about 1.3km from the corner of Avenue Road with Eight Mile Lane) Click Here for map
- 3:15pm: Truck, Metgasco and police now left the site!
- 2:50pm: “Jingo bells methane smells – Metgasco go away – oh what a fun it is to live in a gas free world today”
- 2:30pm: 150 people gathered in front of a Xmas tree and there were musicians playing. Police and vehicles 50 m away – Stuart George has walked to the next block with bolt cutters.
9th December:
- Residents at Glenugie have received notification that the drill rig will arrive early this week. If you can get down there tonight or tomorrow please do (scroll down for directions). If you head down please take food and water to share, and prepare for all weather conditions (there is some rain forecast). As always we ask that you act in accordance with principles of Non-Violent Direct Action at any protest- please only attend if you are prepared to follow these guidelines.
4th December:
- 5pm: After being locked on to a truck for three hours Deb has now ben cut off by police rescue. She has been issued a Future Court Attendance Notice but police have not yet said what she will be charged with.
- 4pm: On the eve of Planning Minister Brad Hazzard’s visit to the Northern Rivers region, a brave and committed local woman has attached herself to a work truck at Metgasco’s coal seam gas site near Grafton. More than one hundred residents are on site with more flocking to the site all the time. The police rescue have just arrived.
Deb Whitley of Glenugie says she has been forced to take this action because her land and home are under threat from coal seam gas mining.
“My home has always been the one constant in my life. It is my safety, my sanctuary- this industry threatens all of this,” said Deb.
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| I still say Debbie is a hero |
28/11/12: Action Update
The protest by local residents at the site of a Metgasco drill pad at Glenugie near Grafton entered it’s eighth day today. Metgasco have not done any work since last Thursday and have not visited the site since Monday.
Those maintaining the vigil are in high spirits following a visit from around 50 locals this morning who dropped into the site on their way to work, proclaiming “We Work and We Care”. There has been great support from the local community with both individuals and businesses providing food for the protestors and the vigil camp is well organised and equipped with shelters, cooking facilities, colourful banners and signs, and information on non-violent direct action. Yesterday the site was busy with a knit in from the Grafton chapter of the Knitting Nannas and an amicable visit from the Clarence Valley Council Rangers.
The locals plan to maintain the vigil indefinitely and welcome visits from supporters from across the region. Please stay tuned for any alerts about further action at the site when your presence may be called upon.
21 November:
- Evening: Today around fifty local residents
gathered at the Metgasaco drilling site to protest coal seam gas
invading their neighbourhood. Metgasco used the NSW police to force
their way onto the site and continue work to prepare for drilling. The
locals are maintaining their resolve and are calling for support
to protect their community from the threat of coal seam gas drilling.
Please get a carload of people together to come and support them in
their efforts tomorrow, Thursday 22nd November. Please remember to bring
food and water for the day, hat and sunscreen and be prepared to follow
non-violent guidelines and maintain a peaceful presence at all times. Here are the directions and map to the site:Drive through Grafton to South Grafton, then turn right (south) onto the highway (as if you were going to Coffs Harbour). Eight Mile Lane is about 13km from Grafton (i.e. 8 miles). It is clearly signposted as the turn off to Wooli and Minnie Water. On Google Maps, Avenue Road is call “Golden Mile Road”. The site is on your left, about 1.3km from the corner of Avenue Road with Eight Mile Lane.
View Larger Map
- Morning: Local community groups in the Clarence Valley have put out an alert in relation to a proposed Metgasco corehole drill site at Glenugie near Grafton. Site preparations prior to drilling have commenced though no workers are currently present. Local residents are keeping a vigil to monitor developments and are asking other groups from across the region to prepare to join them in a peaceful protest at the site.
Ongoing updates with maps and directions will be available on this website.
Please be prepared to attend at short notice making sure you are self sufficient in food and water and prepared for hot weather or rain. If you attend the action please follow the guidelines for non-violent direct action and maintain a peaceful presence at all times. Please remember: When you are at a protest, your personal actions and words are taken to be those of the group. You are on stage, and telling the world a story. Be aware at all times of the story you’re telling. Even if the media and cameras aren’t there, your individual actions have repercussions for your friends and the wider movement.
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