Mullumbimby Community Action Network

Originally published 14Nov2012

mullum-zine

csg prospecting in Byron Shire

Newsletter 113
14 November 2012


Greetings


COAL SEAM GAS – PROSPECTING IN BYRON SHIRE

An advertisement published in Tweed Border Mail on 7 November 2012 reads thus:

Petroleum Special Prospecting Authority
Application

Notice is given that Petroleum Special Prospecting Authority Application No 55 for petroleum has been lodged with NSW Trade and Investment by New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, ABN 82 726 507 500, over an area of about 12 blocks or 900 square kilometres which is located about 10 kilometres west of the town of Byron Bay, as shown on the diagram below. [NB: contact deborahatmullumactiondotorg for copy of ad with diagram).

Information regarding this application can be obtained from Sally Skyring, Manager – Strategic Initiatives on ph (02) 9689 4520. More information will be provided in the next edition of Tracker magazine.

General information regarding petroleum special prospecting authorities and landholder"s rights is available from http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au

Invitation for Public Comment

Public comment on the impacts of exploration due to this application or any petroleum special prospecting authority granted in satisfaction of this application may be made with 28 days of this advertisement. Comments received that relate to production will not be considered in this process as a petroleum special prospecting authority does not permit production activities to occur.

If you are interested in making comments on this application, you are encouraged to review the Department"s Public Comment Process document which may be obtained from the applicant or at http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au or by contacting NSW Trade and Investment staff on 02 4931 6512.

The Department reserves the right to make all or part of any submission publicly available however, personal information identifying an individual will be withheld from publication.


END OF AD


NB: The Department of Resources website has the publication date of 6 November (not 7th) with a closing date for public comment of 5 December. The link to make comment is: http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/community-information/comment/titles

Currently I am seeking advice on making a submission from Michael McNamara of Lock the Gate Tweed, who sent me a copy of this ad. How to write a submission about prospecting but not production is somewhat confusing. I will put guidelines or example in later newsletter. By the way, I twice called Sally Skyring in 2nd para and a message says "You have reached Sally Skyring" and the phone is then hung up. Charming!


NORTHERN STAR TAKES UP THE BATON with this story (unlike our local papers – let"s hope its newsworthy enough for next week since it is about prospecting for CSG in Byron Shire).
http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/land-councils-csg-strategy/1617561/


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BANGALOW – TRAINING IN PEACEFUL PROTEST – DEC 8TH – 1 – 4 PM


To protect our region, we need to stop gasfields getting a foothold in Casino.
We need to come together in a nonviolent social movement and learn skills of peaceful protest.
All of us can take different roles. If we pull together, we are in with a chance to save our region.

This training will address what makes for a successful social movement, including how to stay calm.
It is important that everyone knows that aggression is an unnecessary distraction.
Our blockades can be successful and peaceful. In fact social movements need to be nonviolent in order to grow and gain strength of numbers.

Please distribute to your networks. Cost $5. Places are limited so register early by phoning Amica Sanday 66803230 Please bring a plate to share for afternoon tea.

Sue Higginson, Senior Solicitor of the EDO will present a talk about your legal rights in demonstrations and blockades; Simon Clough, Lismore City Councillor, will talk about the power of social movements; practical skills for stopping CSG; and latest updates on CSG campaign.

(Again, contact me for poster of this event). You can see Simon Clough talking on the Channon Declaration Day clip and also the Rock the Gate movie and trailer. He"s good.




CASINO SEISMIC TESTING PROTEST last week

From csgfree Lismore newsletter:

Subject: CSG Free Lismore Newsletter
To: CSG-free Lismore



Dear Supporter of CSG Free Lismore,
It has been a very big week as we continue to oppose those that would turn our home into a Gas Field. Thank you to everyone who came out to Casino to protest Metgasco Seismic testing activities, it was a successful show of community opposition and we congratulate you for your commitment, and willingness to respond at short notice. Thanks also to all those who could not be there but were in support of the action. There will be more protest in the coming months and it is vital that our community is networked strongly. Please actively connect your friends, neighbours and family, either to this email list or through your local group.
In the future if you are not able to attend we encourage you to ring local ABC north coast radio, write letters to the editor in local papers showing your support, and ring politicians. The media message is just as important as the action and your support in this way is very valuable!

Here are some links to speeches given at Wednesday's rally.
Annie Kia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2wtMj7wtVY
Aiden Ricketts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws1Hv2Wwat4
http://aidanricketts.com/conflict-inevitable-as-gas-mining-is-forced-upon-unwilling-communities/
Adam Guise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkZMiAnDBHA


NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TRAINING
As part of our continued commitment to Nonviolent Action there is important training coming up and we urge you to attend if you can. This training will cover important principles of nonviolence and will also include practical components of keeping calm under pressure.
17th November Dyraaba Hall 1pm – 4pm. Call Dean for information 66671262
25th November Grafton District Services Club 1pm – 4pm. Lynette 0438 893 390 FREE 0438 893 390
8th December Bangalow Catholic Hall 1pm – 4pm


AND VERY IMPORTANTLY...
We are excited to announce our next Fun-Raising event! From the fantastic folk who brought us CSG the Musical, we are proud to present, the exciting community event finale for 2012...

COAL SEAM GAS IDOL!!
CSG Idol will be held on Thursday the 29th of November at the Italo Club in Lismore and we are seeking entrants and performers (who needn't be entrants)! Please see the attached poster. Tickets available at Gleanings in the Star Court Arcade. This event will raise funds to put some much needed work into our website and communications systems so that we can effectively reach even more people. Please come and bring all your friends!!


SUPPORT THE EDO
Please sign and circulate this petition urging Barry O'Farrell to make clear his and the government's support for the EDO.
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/nsw-government-save-environmental-defender-s-office-edo-nsw#

Other Attachments
(Contact csgfreenr.lismore@gmail.com for attachments and get on their mailing list for up to the minute updates)
Courtesy of our friends at Kyogle GAG – newsletter from the 31st of October with plenty of information for you as always. And a document outlining the MANY contaminations and accidents that have occurred in Australia and New Zealand in the last few years.

More Information
For more information on upcoming events and links to current articles you can 'like' the CSG free Northern Rivers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CsgFreeNorthernRivers?fref=ts

Database management

CSG Free Lismore is one of the many affiliated groups of Lock the Gate, at a regional level we are part of the 'Lock the Gate Northern Rivers Alliance', which is made up of groups from across the Northern Rivers. In an effort to streamline communication and reduce email traffic, as an alliance, we are in the process of consolidating our contact lists. What this means for you is that we would like to include your email address in a Regional Lock the Gate mailing list.

You will still receive emails from us, as CSG Free Lismore which we anticipate will be specific to Lismore actions and events, and you will receive much more streamlined and concise information about the local campaign from the Regional Coordinators. At any time you will always have the opportunity to unsubscribe from any emails you receive.

All the best,
Elly.

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SAVE NORTH COAST NATURE

New website – newsletter no 1 came out today.
Please contact infoatnorthcoastnaturedotorgdotau to receive a copy, or google it.
Its important info about E zones, Byron LEP, naughty politicians, wildlife corridors, etc.
North Coast environmental safeguards are UNDER THREAT; we need to be vigilant and this website helps.




FEDERAL GOONENGERRY LOCK THE ROADS

PUBLIC MEETING

GOONENGERRY PUBLIC SCHOOL

TUES 4 DECEMBER 7PM


WATCH THIS SPACE
For Mullum Lock the Roads Public Meeting




MAIN ARM DECLARATION DAY PARTY
This Sat 17 November 3 – 10 pm family day with Mayoral ceremony at 6 pm.
See you there!

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KYOGLE group against gas (GAG)
Does a fabulous mailout each week
If you want to keep abreast of what"s going on csg wise
Contact Richard Deem deemrichardatgmaildotcom



In the long run, a united people cannot be defeated
(or words to that effect: Annie Kia in clip above).

Cheers
Deborah