NARRABRI GAS PROJECT FINAL ASSESSMENT DUE IN AUGUST

Whether a massive coal seam gas (CSG) project in the north-west of the state receives final NSW government approval will be known in August.

Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project, the first stage of which involves drilling 850 gas wells south west of Narrabri through the Pilliga Forest and farmland, has been referred for a final assessment to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC).  The IPC panel will be conducting a public hearing from July 20 – 24 as well as receiving written submissions.

More than 23,000 submissions were received by the Department of Planning when the EIS for this controversial project went on public exhibition in the first half of 2017.  Given the continuing  concern about the project,  there are likely to be many submissions to the panel in the next few weeks.

Why is there concern about a project that both the federal and state governments are so keen to see approved?  There are many issues of concern – two of which are discussed briefly below.

A major concern for many of the region’s farmers is the impact the development will have on water– both in relation to local aquifers and also the re-charge zone of the Great Artesian Basin.  The CSG industry uses significant volumes of water in its operation and also produces large amounts of saline water which will need to be disposed of safely.  Opponents of the development are well aware of the major problems relating to CSG mining and water in the US and also in Queensland.

Another major concern is the impact of this massive development on the high conservation value Pilliga Forest, the largest temperate woodland in NSW. There will be significant clearing for roads, pipeline routes, well surrounds and ponds for produced water.  This fragmentation of natural habitat will create problems for many local fauna species - including threatened species such as Black-striped Wallabies, Koalas and Eastern Pygmy-possums. 

The IPC panel’s determination will be of great interest to many people in the immediate area of Santos’ development but also further afield - including here in the Northern Rivers.

GRAFTON NANNAS WRITE TO MP ABOUT GOVERNMENT'S CSG PLANS

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas recently wrote to their local member of State Parliament, Chris Gulaptis, about his Government's plans to re-start CSG/unconventional gas mining in NSW.
The text of the letter is printed below:

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas were delighted when the NSW Government bought back the petroleum export licences covering the Northern Rivers.  We thought, "At last we have a gasfield free Northern Rivers!"

We note that in your February "Clarence Valley Newsletter" you reiterate that there will be no coal seam gas industry on the North Coast.  The Nannas presume that by "coal seam gas" you mean all forms of unconventional gas.

We are concerned, however, at a report which appeared in The Northern Star on February 9th.  Mining Minister Anthony Roberts was reported as having a plan to unlock new coal seam gas reserves to local mining companies that will supply to the local markets rather than for export.  Since that rather astounding revelation all has been quiet.

What exactly did the Minister mean?  Has your Government plans to issue further PELs for gas companies in this state?  If so, what areas are to be targeted?

You are well aware, Mr Gulaptis, of the concerns of the Nannas and will appreciate that we are anxious to learn exactly what the Government intends.


The Nannas are looking forward to our local MP's response.

NEW KNIT-IN VENUE

Last Thursday the  Grafton Nannas left their usual knit-in haunt and set up their chairs outside the campaign office of National Party candidate for Page,  Kevin Hogan.  We thought it was time that we gave a little nannerly attention to the federal election campaign.

Mr Hogan was elsewhere in the electorate but the Nannas had a very pleasant chat with one of his youthful helpers and handed over a letter about Nanna concerns.  We didn't leave a yellow flower as they are reserved for State MP Chris Gulaptis but Lynette left Mr Hogan a memento - her crocheted triangles to decorate his car rear-vision mirror.

Letter Delivery Team

THE NANNAS' LETTER TO MR HOGAN

The Grafton Chapter of Knitting Nannas Against Gas understands that you are opposed to coal seam gas mining in the Northern Rivers area.  While this is very reassuring, we trust that you are also against other forms of unconventional gas mining (such as tight sand and shale gas mining) in our area.

While we applaud you for reflecting the position of the community in our electorate, we have serious concerns about the Coalition Parties' position on mining.  It is clear that the Coalition would encourage the expansion of mining in the belief that it is beneficial to the economy.  Politicians often become obsessed with economic arguments and fail to see the downsides of an industry such as mining – particularly in relation to the general community's amenity and health as well as the health of the natural environment on which we all rely.

If the Coalition were to form Government after the election, what would its position be on gas mining – particularly on gas mining in our area?  What would be your position if you were elected and a Coalition Government was intent on encouraging the development of gas mining in our area?

* * * * * * * * *

The Nannas enjoyed the different venue and the opportunity to meet with people in a busier part of the town than their usual spot.  The next knit-in will be at yet another venue.  Variety is certainly the spice of  life for the hard-knittin' Grafton Nannas!

French knitting progresses.

Anti CSG Tiger - the next project

NANNA  GUEST  OF THE  DAY

Chook Against Gas, Speckledy, checks the Nannafesto

REFLECTIONS ON GLENUGIE

Glenugie drill site on  8th February.  Traumatron to the right.

All has been quiet at the former Metgasco drill site at Glenugie now for about three weeks.  The drill and all the infrastructure have gone - except for the double fence.  Even that dramatic machine - the traumatron - which held up Metgasco's removal from the site, has gone.

The traumatron

It's interesting to look back on those from elsewhere who joined  Clarence Valley locals in the vigil and blockade.  Some of these supporters were day visitors but others camped along the side of the road or on nearby properties. There was some fancy accommodation (caravans and campervans), while some slept in vehicles and others in tents - many of these being makeshift shelters. Some  campers stayed for weeks; some remained for days, then took a break back home before returning to Glenugie.

Amonst the visiting supporters the Grafton KNAGs enjoyed meeting were our northern Nanna mentors - who showed their talents in knitting, crafting decorations and then displaying these on the protesters' Christmas tree.

Glenugie was visited by a number of politicians - Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham and Federal Member for Clarence Janelle Saffin.  Another Greens MLC, Jan Barham from Byron Bay, joined the Knitting Nannas for a knit-in while she was at the site.

The Mayors of Lismore and Byron also visited as did several of their fellow councillors.

Interestingly most local politicians did not seem to think the Glenugie action of sufficient significance to rate a visit - even though they did not have far to travel!  Clarence Valley Councillors Margaret McKenna and Jason Kingsley were the exceptions.

Regrettably our local state member, Chris Gulaptis, did not visit the site.  When the Nannas spoke to him outside his office in Grafton on  January 25, they offered to escort him to the site so that he could see it for himself and talk to the  locals there.  He declined.  Later, in a letter to the Nannas he said that he would visit the site a a time mutually suitable to him and the property owner.

The Nannas don't know whether that happened - but his visit should have been made when Metgasco was working at the site.  A visit after they had left was pointless.

A sign left across the road from the deserted drill site says it all

DRILL RIG ON SITE AT GLENUGIE

Today Metgasco finally managed to get a drill rig and other equipment into the Glenugie site.  It took them many hours and the efforts of around 60 police - mostly riot police - and the Police Rescue Squad.  We Knitting Nannas suspect that getting the equipment onto the site proved more difficult than it would have been some weeks earlier.  Protesters, from the Clarence Valley and other Northern Rivers areas  - including Knitting Nannas - gathered from before 7 a.m., prepared to peacefully protest at the mining company's plans.

Protesters gather at outside the Glenugie site early on 7th January

The riot police gradually moved protesters from the area in front of the access gate.  Then they had to remove those protesters "locked on", including one brave man perched high in a tripod and another lying locked on just in front of the gate.

The Knitting Nannas did not do much looping or purling today as they were too busy singing, watching, and photographing than to do more than brandish the needles and pull on the yarn  occasionally.

NANNERLY CLICKS OF THE GLENUGIE ACTION

Girls Against Gas about to be moved from the area in front of the Metgasco Gate

 The Nannas hope that these lasses will not be called on to 

become Knitting Nannas Against Gas in another 30 years or so.

We want CSG mining cast off NOW! 

Some Knitting Nannas can identify with 

the sentiments on this lad's T-shirt.

Our T-shirts could say "We knit because we were 

needled into doing it!" 

The Angel shows Riot Police the song words so that they can join in.

 "What is this weird woman doing ?  If we don't look,

maybe she'll go away.  Or maybe we could arrest her for distracting police 

from the lawful performance of their duties."

 "Whew! It's been a long morning.  Thank goodness for this sculpture.  

My feet are killing me and my ears are sunburnt.  This crappy regulation 

cap isn't doing the job.  I wish I had one of those Knitting Nanna 

yellow bandannas to wear on my head."

There it sat, lonely and sad-looking, until it was given a nannerly treat, 
a knitted and knotted makeover. Look at those eyes peering 
coyly from under the yellow bandanna!

 

SIGNS OF THE GLENUGIE BLOCKADE

The unmissable sign on the Pacific Highway south of Grafton

Since it began more than forty days ago, the Glenugie protest has grown.  The site has been visited by people from across the North Coast and the area occupied by the protesters along the roadside has expanded.  What has also expanded is the signage.  The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas has been fascinated by these signs. New ones seem to be there each time we visit.

Below are a  few examples of the signage near the Metgasco drill site.

Will Metgasco giet the message?

Barry doesn't look happy with what's happening at Glenugie

 

 And then there were the seasonal signs -

...or next year  ... or ever!

KNITTERS DECORATE GLENUGIE CHRISTMAS TREE

Along with  other community members from the Clarence Valley and supporters from elsewhere in the Northern Rivers, the Grafton Loop of Knitting Nannas Against Gas (KNAG), has been in regular attendance at the Glenugie site where coal seam gas miner Metgasco plans a test drill.

Junior KNAG

Today the Grafton KNAGs were joined for their knit-in by KNAGs from Kyogle and Lismore as well as Jan Barham, Member of the NSW Legislative Council.  We were again serenaded by a guitarist from Brunswick Heads and watched two youngsters show their expertise with French knitting.

MLC Jan Barham (L) and KNAGs from Lismore and Grafton

Then the Lismore knitters produced their Christmas decorations and added some KNAG class to the Christmas tree in front of the Metgasco gate.

GRAFTON NANNAS ACTIVE AT GLENUGIE

Since their launch - their first knit-in - on October 19th the Grafton Loop of Knitting Nannas has held a further two knit-ins and has had discussions about coal seam gas (CSG) mining with the Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis MP.

Two Nanna representatives met with Mr Gulaptis at his Grafton office on November 28th and presented him with a yellow flower and a letter outlining some of their concerns with Metgasco's Glenugie activities.  The discussion was predictable with Mr Gulaptis expressing his support for the CSG industry because of the economic benefits he claimed it would bring. He also stated that fossil fuels such as CSG were still needed because renewable energy was still not cost competitive.  He ackowledged that the Government was well aware of the degree of opposition to the industry in the Northern Rivers.

The two recent knit-ins have been at the Glenugie protest site on Avenue Road south of Grafton in the Clarence Valley.  CSG mining company Metgasco has prepared the site for drilling and is waiting on the arrival of a drilling rig.  Protesters from the local area and further afield have been at the site since 20th November.

Glenugie Drill Site

Amonst those supporting the Glenugie vigil have been Knitting Nannas from Lismore.  Visits to Glenugie from these stalwarts and the Grafton novices did not coincide until yesterday when one Grafton Nanna was delighted to meet a Lismore Nanna.  These two were able to compare their anti-CSG yellow knitting products.  The Grafton Nannas look forward to further contact with their northern colleagues.