Mullumbimby Community Action Network

Originally published 13Mar2013

mullum-zine

csg updates

Newsletter 119
12 March 2013

Greetings!


MULLUM SURVEY: 95% locals want to be Gasfield-free, are results so far. When all the data is entered, there may be a slight variation of that figure. I have had some problems with the Excel Sheet to enter the data, lost 5 hours of work and other hassles. Thanks to Liz Friend coming to help iron out problems, the inputting is underway. Liz and I are working on it each Wednesday from 1.30pm – all helpers welcomed! Please call Deb 66843723. More thanks to Liz and Ron for the pop up of so many LTG signs around Mullum recently.


MULLUM DECLARATION DAY – please contact me if you"d like to be involved in organising this.


ARTISTS WANTED FOR SCULPTURE/ARTWORK –

To symbolise 95% and celebrate Mullum"s determination to protect our town from invasive mining. . . expressions of interest, ideas and philanthropists invited to share in the manifestation of something special for everyone to enjoy.

2k EXCLUSION ZONE – is great news for Mullumbimby. However, post-election U turns are not uncommon, so let"s make sure all of Byron Shire has Locked the Region to gas mining. O"Farrell"s recent U turn media release: http://www.premier.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/TOUGH%20NEW%20RULES%20FOR%20COAL%20SEAM%20GAS%20ACTIVITY.pdf


METGASCO SUSPENDS ACTIVITY IN NORTHERN RIVERS!
Fabulous news today (another U turn) – congratulations to all who"ve participated in the blockades and written letters, etc. Byron Shire csg reserves are licensed to Aboriginal Land Council and Dart Energy so we can"t sit on our camphor laurels. Arrow Energy"s licence here was sold to Dart Energy (what"s next – Pin Energy?)




MESSAGE FROM LOCK THE GATE RE: WATER & CSG


WATER TRIGGER (below) is good news. However, it"s important to continue pressure on Federal govt and all political parties for all 8 demands of the Call To Country.
While this is a good first step, it's not enough! Important to keep the pressure up, insist on all 8 demands. Beautiful Call To Country video & 8 demands: http://www.lockthegate.org.au/calltocountry
This is why we need a strong national campaign with lots of members.


Begin forwarded message:

From: Carmel Flint



WATER TRIGGER A STEP FORWARD ON LONG ROAD TO COAL AND GAS REFORM

Lock The Gate Alliance has described the changes to Federal environment laws announced by Minister Tony Burke this morning as a step forward on a long road to genuine law reform to control inappropriate coal and gas mining across Australia.

Last week, the Alliance launched a national reform agenda, 'Call to Country', which included 8 actions that the Federal Government can take to protect communities and the environment from inappropriate mining. The inclusion of a water trigger was a minor component of that plan.

"This reform today is a step forward on a long road to genuine reform of coal and gas mining laws in Australia. It has only been achieved because of the determination of people all around Australia to protect our priceless water resources" said Carmel Flint, Campaign Co-ordinator for Lock The Gate Alliance.

"We congratulate all the members of parliament who have taken heed of the extraordinary and far-reaching community concern on this issue.
"A water trigger is a useful addition to the federal laws - but it means nothing unless it is backed up by the political courage to reject damaging coal and gas mining projects.
"The current Federal Government has approved every coal mine and gasfield that has ever been referred to it - there have been many environmental triggers, just not the courage to act on them.
"The real test of this change will be in whether the Federal Government rejects the coal mines planned for the Liverpool Plains, and the Arrow coal seam gas project in Queensland which was slammed in a review by the Expert Scientific Committee yesterday.

"There is plenty more to be done and we will continue to work with communities all around Australia to implement our Call to Country to deliver far-reaching reforms.

"We are amazed that the Coalition is planning to oppose the changes - this is a major test for them and they need to listen to farming communities and rural constituents.
"We will be seeking changes as the reform is debated in Parliament to give the Expert Scientific Committee a full decision-making role in determining projects, and to ensure these new powers can't be handed straight back to the states after the election" she said.
Information or comment: Carmel Flint 0400 521474



JOHN SEED IN MULLUM:
Sun 17th March 10am to 5pm, CSG Despair and Empowerment Workshop with John Seed, in Mullumbimby. Cost $100 – all proceeds to go Lock the Gate. See flier here:
http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/deep-eco/fliers/csgde.pdf


Check out the new "Gasileaks" website!
"Gasileaks was born out of inadequate/questionable government regulation of the unconventional gas industry
3;."
"
3;Gasileaks motto is simple: "See something, say something". People wishing to make a submission to gasileaks can simply upload documents, pictures and video to our secure site
3;
3;.."
"
3;.From there we will investigate, we DO NOT publicly release every investigation. Once we do decide to investigate a claim further and have sufficient evidence we may then create a video and an accompanying press release or publish the information on our web site."
http://gasileaks.com/about-us

Keeping up the pressure ....

Cheers
Deborah

____________________________________________
More Information:
• http://www.csgfreenorthernrivers.org/
• http://coalseamgasnews.org/
• http://www.keerronggassquad.org/
• http://www.gasileaks.com/
• http://lockthegate.org.au/
• http://www.stoppilligacoalseamgas.com.au/
• http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/coal-mining-and-coal-seam-gas
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers/
• http://stop-csg-illawarra.org/
• http://www.ccag.org.au/
• http://bimblebox.org/
• http://ntn.org.au/
• http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=561260378#!/CsgFreeNorthernRivers
• http://www.youtube.com/user/csgfreenr/videos