Press Release: 10 May 2012
The regional rally for a CSG-free Northern Rivers will see people from the Clarence to the Queensland border and from as far away as Dorrigo and Glen Innes gather in Lismore on Saturday 12th May. The day will involve a march through town followed by a rally with a range of informative speakers and a great line up of musicians in a ‘Rock the Gate’ concert.
“This rally is a great opportunity for residents of the region to come together and send a strong message to gas companies and politicians that they do not want to see our beautiful region opened up to massive industrialization from CSG and other unconventional gas mining,” said John McPherson, of CSG Free Lismore.
On Saturday the Mayor of Lismore Jenny Dowell will be joined by Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson to be presented with another batch of declarations of communities that have resolved to stay CSG-free.
The CSG-free community Strategy, piloted in the Channon a few weeks back is now spreading like wildfire across the region.
Community Strategy
Annie Kia, the Coordinator of the CSG Free Community Strategy said, "The grass-roots process started in The Channon and Keerrong is spreading like wildfire. Other communities replicate the survey method, which they get from our website. Every time there's a public meeting to do it, there seems to be someone from the neighbouring community who gets it going in the next locality. I can barely keep up with it. The results are so strong from these surveys. At The Channon it was 99%. Modanville and Ewingar are both 97%. These are very different kinds of communities."
“In the last few weeks residents of Ewingar in the Mid-Clarence have conducted a comprehensive survey of residents on 10 roads, asking them "Do you want your roads/lands to be CSG Free?"- the outcomes are overwhelmingly positive with 97% answering in the affirmative,” Kia said.
“Wherever it's done, and no matter what the 'political colours' of the community, the outcomes are well over 90% in all CSG-free community surveys conducted so far.”
“We invite people from all walks of life to take a stand on Saturday and join the rally! We will gather at 10 am on Sat. 12 May at Riverside Park in Lismore to walk around the CBD.”
“Following this we will hear from Lock the Gate President Drew Hutton, Marian Lloyd-Smith of the National Toxics Network, Queensland farmers affected by coal seam gas mining and other.”
The ‘Rock the Gate’ concert from noon to 4 pm will feature artists OKA, Dubmarine, Round Mountain Girls, Renee Simone (Blackbirds) and much more great local talent.”
Media contact: John McPherson
Ph: 6621 6965 mob: 0447 458 012