Tara protest visits Ipswich

PROTEST: Ipswich residents (at front) Piers Shapley and Cassie McMahon show their support for Tara’s coal seam gas protesters (back, from left) June Norman, and Scott and Narelle Collins.Photo: David Nielsen IPS130511BLOC18B

MEMBERS of the “Tara Blockade” brought their concerns about coal seam gas extraction to Ipswich on Friday.

This group has been protesting against the drilling of gas wells at Tara Estate, three hours’ west of Ipswich.

Three members of the “blockade” are Ipswich-based, including Cassie McMahon.

She said landholders bought their rural Tara properties to enjoy a peaceful and quiet lifestyle.

“The blockaders have used non-violent direct action. People power is what is going to stop this industry from spreading throughout the country, since our government is encouraging the industry and the legal system supports the industry rather than the landholders," she said.

“There are 40,000 gas wells planned to be installed in Queensland which will affect our health, our land, our water and threaten our food security.”

Ipswich activist Piers Shapley said it was possible that wells could be drilled between Brisbane and Ipswich.

“It’ll be here before we know it,” he said. “I’m bothered about the chemicals in the water.

“Habitat trees at Tara have been run over in front of us.”

An Origin Energy spokesman said each CSG project was subject to a rigorous regulatory approvals process usually undertaken over a period of more than 18 months and involving extensive public consultation, review and approval at both state and federal levels.

The Australian Gas Industry website details the benefits of gas projects for regional areas.

“Benefits will flow to regional centres with direct employment opportunities and indirect jobs through the growth of local businesses servicing the industry,” it states.

Gas companies and the State Government were invited to comment for this story, but did not respond before deadline.