On Sunday 14 September 2014, a minor political miracle was completely ignored by mainstream media. It took place in Moriac, a small countryside town of 800 residents, some 15-20 minutes drive from Geelong, where politicians from all major parties at federal, state and local level assisted the citizens of four small towns to declare themselves ‘gasfield free’.

Today in the Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse we learn that while the Victorian government pulls strings behind the scenes to protect the gas industry, that the so-called “scientific studies” which it refers to, for instance when claiming the fugitive emissions or water contamination is not a problem, have been compromised. Hear Alan Roberts from Nimbin Environment Centre explain why the gas mining industry can be trusted when it claims that unconventional gas is cleaner that coal. Even CSIRO, a well-respected scientific Australian institution, is compromised and can’t be trusted, according to Alan Roberts.

As a lead-up to a public information meeting about onshore gas exploration which is held in Geelong on 18 September 2014 (more info about that on www.climatesafety.info/gasrush), we also take a look at whether the toxic chemicals which the onshore gas industry uses to extract the gas really can be ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’, as the industry calls it.

Listen to The Sustainable Hour no. 43:

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Interviews:
• Alan Roberts, Nimbin Environment Centre
• Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith, National Toxics Network
• Ian Clarke, Frack Free Moriac
• Chloe Aldenhoven, Friends of the Earth Melbourne

Speech excerpts:
• Richard Di Natale, Federal Senator, The Greens
• Andy Richards, Labor candidate
• Lloyd Davies, Western Victorian Greens candidate
• Adrian Whitehead, Save the Planet candidate
• Damien Marchant, Frack Free Moriac

“CSIRO is compromised. It is open to political compromise, unfortunately. It does a range of good work, but where the government ideology is involved, they are compomised.”
Alan Roberts

Alan Roberts

Ian Clarke

Chloe Aldenhoven

“Victorians are pushing back in a way that no other state has done before.”
Richard di Natale, senator, The Greens

Richard Di Natale

“I look forward to being part of a team that hopefully brings in a ban on unconventional gas mining across Victoria. That is my personal position and that is what I represent you on.”
Andy Richards, Labor candidate

Andy Richards

Lloyd Davies

Adrian Whitehead

Damien Marchant

The above speaker excerpts together in one file

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PEP163_moriac — The green colour marks the new gasfield free zone

How did they do this in Moriac?

This is the process Frack Free Moriac went through:

At first they held information nights and did a flyer drop to the whole of 3240-postcode, prior to surveying, as they wanted people to be fully informed before answering their question.

Many of times when they went to ask people, they had to go through info again, to those who hadn’t taken the time to read the flyer. They then asked one question: “Do you want your area (3240) to be gasfield free?”
The person interviewed had the option of answering “yes”, “no” or “not sure”.

They surveyed each household. Sometimes each person in the household was asked – at other times it was only the person who answered the door. Each household in each town was surveyed. Moriac has 252 households, Mt Moriac has 113 households, Paraparap has 48 households.

lock-the-gateIMG_4523_560 — Moriac on 14 September 2014

we-decl__closeIMG_4531_560 — Moriac on 14 September 2014

Message from gasfield-free Moriac

Email sent on 16 September 2014

“Frack Free Moriac would like to thank everyone for attending or sending support for our declaration day. We had a terrific day, the sun was shining, we enjoyed a yummy afternoon tea, and were able to chat with our friends, or newly found neighbours!

A huge thank you to all that helped on the day and those who worked hard leading up to the day. There are too many to personally mention, but I am honoured to know very passionate and community minded people.

In terms of the results, it is very clear our communities wish to declare themselves as gasfield free. Moriac 97%, Mt Moriac 96%, Paraparap 92% and Freshwater Creek 93% all indicated they wish to remain gasfield free.

On the day, Damien presented a declaration to Surf Coast Councillors Mayor Rose Hodge, Cr Heather Wellington, Cr Rod Nockles, Federal MP Sarah Henderson, and Federal Senator Richard Di Natale, State MP Andrew Katos, Labor candidate Andy Richards, Greens candidate Lisa Ashdowne, and Western Victorian Candidates Lloyd Davies, and Adrian Whitehead from Save the Planet.

All of our guests, that were presented with a declaration, spoke briefly and all congratulated us on our results. They all indicated that they would support our community and be advocates for us in parliament.

The Greens wish to have unconventional gas banned in Victoria, and last election came very close to winning a seat in the upper house. Both Labor and Liberal candidates will fight for declared areas to be exempt by the Energy Minister. Labor also indicating that he personally wishes to see a total ban in Victoria after a parliamentary enquiry is conducted.

Adrian Whitehead was very clear in his stance of wanting 100% renewables, but in his speech he also made clear that politicians respond to two things – Money (and we know where this comes from) and Power. Right now we have the power. It may take us to go against our past voting history, but we can make a change.

I did have the opportunity to speak to Sarah Henderson afterwards. She is a big believer in the Renewable Energy Target and understands how valuable our agriculture is in the area. My answer to her was then lift the licences. Remove all licences in our area and stop this ‘shadow’ looming over our communities. Even just having the licence is unsettling for many.

So we now will continue to put pressure on each party in the lead up to the election. Once we know our elected parties we will continue to hold them accountable.

Thank you again, for all your support.”

Appea_facts — Letter to the Editor of Geelong Advertiser by Paul Fennelly from APPEA, 31 July 2014. Click on the image to read the letter.

Article in Geelong Independent on 19 September 2013. Click on the image to read article — Article in Geelong Independent on 19 September 2013. Click on the image to read the article

Government pulls strings to protect gas industry

On 15 September 2014, Frack Free Geelong published a media release which said:

“The Victorian Government vets where onshore gas miners can speak and has alerted them not to speak at a public event in Geelong.

“We find it extremely disappointing that a community group which wants to show and discuss both sides of the ‘fracking’ story haven’t been able to do so,” said Frack Free Geelong spokesperson Chris Johnson.

Frack Free Geelong is a community network of over 600 citizens who are concerned that onshore gas extraction will turn Geelong region into an industrial zone polluting the air, contaminating aquifers and causing real estate value to drop.

“We felt it important that the community got both sides of this very controversial issue. Accordingly we invited Lakes Oil CEO Mr Robert J. Annells to address our information evening which is going to be held this Thursday night. Lakes Oil holds Petroleum Exploration Permit 163 to drill for gas in this region, an area which stretches from the Surf Coast to Highton in Geelong.”

In an email, Mr Arnells’ secretary declined the invitation while explaining his decline in the following way: “We have been alerted by the Victorian government’s Primary Agency to speak at events that are only run by approved government bodies that provide controlled, open and impartial dialogue.”

“Who is protecting who in this onshore gas game? And what is it they are afraid of?,” asked Ms Johnson: “This makes us wonder just how seriously the Napthine government is taking people’s concerns about fracking as well as its moratorium extension. Is this just a ploy to take it off the election agenda? Why do they feel that Lakes Oil need protecting? Who is on their list of ‘approved organisations’ and what criteria have been used to select these?”

“When you look at the 31-page pamphlet Lakes Oil’s has produced to tell about their gas mining activities in Victoria, why is the whole first page used to bring a disclaimer with a lawyer’s text that basically says that the company can’t be taken to court even if what is states in the pamphlet turns out to be false? What kind of business is this? We must demand answers to these questions from the Napthine government,” stated Ms Johnson.

“We can assure both Mr Napthine and Lakes Oil that the meeting’s moderator, the well-respected Diversitat CEO Mr Michael Martinez will be encouraging people to be open and impartial. The speakers will be presenting facts, and the audience will be encouraged to make comments and ask questions. Inspite of Lakes Oil’s non-attendance, we will still try our best to give their side of the issue as well.”

[ENDS]

The public meeting about onshore gas extraction is held at Manifold Heights Baptist Church on Thursday 18 September 2014 at 7pm. Admission is free. More information about the program on www.climatesafety.info/gasrush

Front cover of Lakes Oil’s 31-page brochure

Disclaimer on the first page of Lakes Oil’s 31-page brochure — Disclaimer on the first page of Lakes Oil’s brochure

Crowdfunding: Support Lock the Gate

Lock The Gate Victoria Campaign wrote: “We’ve reached a crucial moment in the Lock The Gate Victoria campaign. Pledge NOW and help us stop the invasive unconventional gas industry from starting in Victoria.”

On 18 September 2014, almost $17,000 had been raised. The goal which is to be reached within 20 days is to raise $25,000.

Frack Free Moriac commented: “There is no way we would of been able to declare our town gasfield free without the help of Chloe at Lock the Gate. She works 8 days a week, travels all over Vic, and is the most passionate person I have met! Please help with their crowd funding campaign if you can.”

» You can chip in on: www.chuffed.org/project/gasfieldfree

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» Submission on the Review of coal seam gas activities in NSW
26 April 2013 by Nimbin Environment Centre

» Submission to Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, National Greenhouse & Energy Reporting Determination
By Nimbin Environment Centre

Federal Senator Larissa Water’s speech in parliament about her recent tour of Western Victoria to call for the ban of fracking and unconventional gas. Frack Free Geelong and Moriac get a mention.

$frackfreegeelong-FBlogo$

» www.frackfreegeelong.org

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