GLENUGIE is under ATTACK
'Lawless vigilantes' delay CSG drilling at Glenugie
The CEO of Metgasco Peter Henderson doesn't mince words when it comes to anti-CSG campaigners who've successfully delayed drilling work at Glenugie, near Grafton.
Glenugie resident Deb Whitley has never protested before and it's not something she never saw herself doing.A swelteringly hot day didn't deter 80 protestors who gathered to stop the trucks ferrying drilling equipment into the site at Glenugie on Monday.
metgasco"s boss PETER HENDERSON
However yesterday, as the trucks were rumbling past her she saw an opportunity.
"I just took the plunge and latched myself onto one of the trucks carrying the equipment."
"It just happened so quickly I was locked on before I realised' she said.
"I was a little concerned about safety but I thought I'd be OK."
It was three hours before police were able to remove Ms Whitley, to cheers of congratulations by protestors while frustrated contractors looked on in disgust.
Deb Whitley says the court summons she's expecting to receive will have been worth the effort.
"I do feel great that we inhibited the work that was supposed to happen yesterday and I just feel that it is a good outcome because here we are talking about it on the radio" Ms Whitley told the ABC's Justine Frazier this morning.
Metgasco CEO Peter Henderson was scathing of the action of Ms Whitley and the other protestors.
"Lawless vigilantes are taking action which is totally unjustified, and in doing so they're threatening people's safety" he said.
Peter Henderson says the driver of the truck was forced to slam on the brakes and was shaken by the experience.
"Can you imagine how that contractor would have felt if he hadn't been able to put his foot on the brake very quickly and Ms Whitley had been injured?"
Mr Henderson says the industry and the government accept the right of protestors to disagree but obstructing work is not acceptable.
"Can you imagine what a farmer would say if some vigilante from Queensland came down here and said he didn't like what he was doing and stopped him getting onto his land and doing his job?"
Deb Whitley says protestors feel direct action is their only choice.
"It's an extreme measure and I don't know if it would be the best way but it seems like we have no choice, because we don't seem to be heard by the government, or by Metgasco, or by mining companies about our fears in the area.
"They just seem to be disregarding how the general community feels about this fracking process."
Grafton Police are also investigating allegations that an employee of Metgasco was threatened during the protest.
Photos located
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melonpopzdropz
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