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.

A CELEBRATORY MORNING TEA FOR THE GRAFTON NANNAS

On Thursday March 3 a loop of relaxed Grafton Nannas met to enjoy each others' company and indulge in a sumptuous celebratory morning tea.  Although it was somewhat delayed because of the festive season and associated nannerly duties, the Nannas finally gave Metgasco a send-off from the Northern Rivers.  And Nanna Lynette's cake said it all.

The only knitting needles in sight were the huge ones that had had their outing months ago in Grafton's Market Square.  This was a day for eating and laughing and nattering and plotting for the future rather than for knitting.

However we Nannas fully expect that there will be much more knitting to be done in the future.

And there was some serious discussion

And the big surprise was the unexpected guest at our morning tea!! 

And the chook came too!!

GRAFTON NANNAS WELCOME METGASCO DEPARTURE

 

 

 MEDIA  RELEASE

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas has welcomed the Metgasco shareholders’ decision to accept the NSW Government’s $25 million offer to buy back the remaining Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) in the Northern Rivers region – PELs 13, 16 and 426.

The successful campaign to make the Northern Rivers gasfield free has been due to the determination of thousands of local community members over more than five years. 

“Determination was necessary because it took an immense effort to convince our local politicians and the Government that this invasive industry was not wanted here. But the message finally got through,” said Grafton Nanna Lynette Eggins.  

“This is a win for people power - not politicians. The Grafton Nannas are delighted that they can now cast off PEL 426, the PEL which covers a large part of the Clarence LGA.”

The Grafton Nannas, formed in October 2012 during the Glenugie campaign, will be putting away their knitting needles and crochet hooks for a rest – after their celebration.

“The Nannas will still be around and will be watching.  Any move to re-issue Petroleum Exploration Licences in our region will be met with Nanna action.  And we will be looking at ways of helping other communities affected by inappropriate mining development,” Ms Eggins concluded.

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A GAS FREE NORTHERN RIVERS - LETTER TO CHRIS GULAPTIS MP

During their Knit-in on Tuesday 10th November the Grafton Nannas delivered a letter to their local State MP, Chris Gulaptis, Member for Clarence. The text of this letter is printed below:

* * * * *

The members of the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas are delighted that the NSW Government, of which you are a member, has negotiated a buyback with Metgasco (of PELs 13, 16 and 426) which, if agreed to by the shareholders, will see them out of the Northern Rivers.

We applaud you for your efforts in helping to bring this about.

Obviously we hope that the Metgasco shareholders will accept the deal the Government has negotiated with its board.

If they do not, we assume that the Government has a contingency plan which will see the licences cancelled so that Metgasco leaves the Northern Rivers permanently.

The Nannas, however, still have concerns about the gas-mining industry.  Removing Metgasco  does not guarantee that the Northern Rivers will be gasfield free.  We, along with many other community members, want the threat of unconventional gas exploration and mining removed permanently from our area.

We urge you to work towards ensuring that the Government declares that the Northern Rivers is permanently off-limits to unconventional gas-mining so that no further Petroleum Exploration Licences are granted here.

Has the Government currently any plans to declare the Northern Rivers Gasfield free?

* * * * *

The Nannas are hopeful that the Government will realize that removing Metgasco, while certainly very welcome, is only part of the "job" and that they will complete the job in the very near future.  Then the Nannas should be able to pursue some more nannerly interests!!

Getting RADICAL

The QLD Sadies get RADICAL in support of Karens everywhere. The QLD Sadies song premiered 7 Oct is a direct response to the recent booklet the government has put together for teachers to identify so called potential radical extremists…

Click on the link to see the RADICAL Music Video

The booklet designed to HELP teachers identify students at risk of radicalisation and terrorism has offended both teachers and environmentalists. 

‘The Radicalisation Awareness Kit’ for teachers was launched by Justice Minister Michael Keenan on Monday September 21. The Booklet contains pretty unrealistic “case studies”

The “Preventing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Australia” booklet is part of the Living Safe Together program, and while it begins by talking up diversity and social cohesion, it takes a strange turn when it comes to the case studies. 

Below is the Case Study: Karen

So, what do you think????

GRAFTON NANNAS WRITE AGAIN TO CHRIS GULAPTIS MP

The Grafton Nannas have written to  Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis seeking information on the State Government's plans in relation to PEL (Petroleum Exploration Licence) 426.  This PEL, which covers a large part of the Clarence electorate, still appears to be in the hands of Metgasco.   Metgasco is the company which was involved in exploration for coal seam gas at Glenugie near Grafton and Doubtful Creek near Kyogle.  It was also the company which was forced by the State Government to put on hold its plans to drill at Bentley near Casino last year.

PEL 426

The Nannas letter referred to a recent visit by two of its members to discuss matters relating to the Government's proposed buy-back of some petroleum exploration licences around the state. It referred also to the fact that PEL 426 expired at the beginning of 2014.

The letter to Mr Gulaptis continued:

Despite commitments from local members, including yourself, to work towards removing the gas-mining threat from our region, the Nannas note that Metgasco still has expectations about its future in the Northern Rivers, including the Clarence.

According to an ASIC Report Extract:
"Metgasco continues to wait for renewal of PEL 426, something that was expected in February 2014.  Metgasco has accepted all conditions and paid its renewal fee.  Metgasco notes that OCSG (the Office of Coal Seam Gas ) demands annual reporting and the payment of annual fees, despite not being able to confirm the renewal for 18 months.  Metgasco re-submitted its renewal application in July 2015 in the Government's new format requirement."

While this stated expectation may be a tactic to "up the ante" for compensation from the Government, it is still of concern to us.  Of concern is the amount of time that has passed without a resolution - or indeed any sign of progress - in resolving the matter.  We trust that this delay is not an indication that we are going to be stuck with gas-mining and Metgasco - and that the Government has caved in to the industry.

If that is the case, as we have said in the past, the Nannas, who would prefer a relaxed nannerly lifestyle, will return to campaigning strongly with other members of our community who oppose this invasive, polluting industry.

 The Nannas want effective action on achieving a gasfield free Northern Rivers.  We want PEL 426 and the petroleum exploration licences in our region rescinded. We urge you to convey our concerns to the relevant Government ministers.

Nannas delivering letter to Gulaptis' office

STITCHING UP THE BIG ISSUES

MEDIA RELEASE

14^th June 2015

The Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas celebrated “World Wide Knit in Public Day” in Market Square in Grafton on Saturday.

A highlight of this special knit-in was the unveiling of a pair of giant knitting needles which were so large that they needed two stalwart Nannas to wield them. 

During the knit-in the Nannas called on local National MPs to stitch up the big issues associated with the gas-mining industry in the Clarence and the rest of the Northern Rivers.

“We are very disappointed that the Nationals rejected the move to vote at their State Conference to have the Northern Rivers made gasfield free,” said spokesperson Lynette Eggins.

“Following all the hype from some North Coast Nationals about listening to their communities as well as the statements from State Leader Troy Grant, we were beginning to think the Nationals were serious about keeping this area free of that invasive, polluting industry.”

“There are seven PELs (Petroleum Exploration Licences) in the Clarence electorate.  Three of these have expired.  They should not be renewed. And we call on the Government to cancel the other four, two of which are held by Metgasco.”

“We also call on the Member for Lismore, Thomas George, to support his fellow National, Chris Gulaptis, in having the whole Northern Rivers declared gasfield free,” Ms Eggins continued.

The Nannas believe that if the Nationals and their Coalition partners, the Liberals, fail to declare this region gasfield free, it is very likely that there will be more big confrontations like those seen at Glenugie, Doubtful Creek and Bentley. The Nannas and many others were hoping that these confrontations were a thing of the past in the Northern Rivers.