More than 2,000 people have taken to the streets in Murwillumbah today, angry over coal seam gas mining in the Northern Rivers.
Tweed Council is calling for moratorium on mining but campaigners say they want it banned altogether.
More than 2,000 people have taken to the streets in Murwillumbah today, angry over coal seam gas mining in the Northern Rivers.
Tweed Council is calling for moratorium on mining but campaigners say they want it banned altogether.
this is great. How do we watch the video?
thanks to NBN for showing the widespread concern about coal seam gas mining which is being carried out by stealth all over the world. methane is a potent greenhouse gas and the extraction process is toxic. The Australian people need to have more information from the media because politicians are colluding with the fossil fuel industry.
I counted people at the parade & rally and estimate 3,000 attended. If 3,000 people attend a rally in Murwillumbah, (a country town with a population of 7,500 people), this gives us some idea of the huge ground swell of public concern over this issue.
Our State and Federal government ministers need to give legislation controlling the coal seam gas industry their urgent attention – and do this giving urgent attention to Australia’s obligations as party to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992).
This is a key international agreement which is currently in force. Several Principles of this declaration directly set out the role and responsibility of governments in relation to the democratic process, control of development and use of sustainable use of resources, such as water. For example:
Principle 15 In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.
PRINCIPLE 4
In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.
How can any sane, rationale people allow this toxic extraction process for coal seam gas to despoil prime agricultural land, and pollute our rivers, our artesian water supplies and the air we breathe. This is not a “transition” fuel, but another disaster, equally as bad as coal.
We need more accountable politicians and media to ensure we get the money put into safe, renewal energy options – instead of fueling this mindless corporate feeding frenzy.
Coal seam gas mining and the process of fracking is absolute madness. Every Australian needs to be properly informed on what it is exactly! Our politicians need to do the right thing ASAP, outlawing this barbaric, environment contaminating disaster. The people need to show that they are against Coal Seam Gas Mining and this issue needs a have political solution. NO MORE FRACKING ANYWHERE IS THE WORLD! Watch US Documentary: “GAS LAND”, ABC Four Corners: “GASH RUSH” and SixtyMinutes: “UNDERMINED”.
Sledge, press the “Play in pop up” just below the NBN video. And thank you to NBN for reporting on community concern. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for covering this story. Please stay on it. We will not tolerate coal seam gas and fracking in Australia’s Green Cauldron — or anywhere else in the country. The Great Artesian Basin itself is at risk. Watch the report by 4 Corners: http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20110221/gas/
Good on you guys…I am so proud of your effort…wish I could have been there too. What a turn out!! We can beat this. Spoken from Paris.
The question needs to be asked ‘Why are our politicians so slow off the mark on this urgent issue?’ Are they ill-informed, ignorant or is it another case of not wanting to upset the corporations and therefore jeopardise their own positions of power.
Let me know when you work out how to play the video Sledge because I can’t view it either. Good on you everyone.
Congradulations NBN on a great coverage, we need to get our voices heard to
stop this, before its too late!
Our Government need to grow a spine, and outlaw Coal seam gas mining completely in Australia, France did, so why can’t we. We need to stand and be
counted. The Gillard clowns are pushing us for a carbon tax, no other countries
in the world are. So why not join arms with France, and Australia say NO to C.S.G.M.
I am sure other countries will follow suit. All you have to do., is see the weather
changes in the world today, earthquakes, huge floods, destruction of sorts. Man
has always taken the easy path. I can remember 30 odd years ago Solar technology was always put in the too hard or expensive basket, but hey look now
its everywhere. When it all comes down to “how much money is in it for me mentality, big corporates and government alike. We need to stop murdering and raping the earth for short profit, and manage the renewable resources we are
surrounded by that are harmless. A new environment, conscious government
needs to be elected, one that its main objective is the better for the community and the planet
Hi Denise and sledge,
We’re able to play the video here using Windows, so out of curiosity are you using a Mac?
If so, if you go to here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=915D874D-D747-4180-A400-5F06B1B5E559&displaylang=en
you’ll be able to download a plug-in that will enable you to watch the video.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
I was there and the energy was amazing.. We need to make our governments accountable..They work for us which is something they have forgotten. Do you know that in Switzerland they vote 8-9 times a year on things, their government cannot make a decision without asking the ppl first.. we need to demand that here.How dare they control us like this and do whatever they please. The servants have taken over the mansion… They are in Breach of Trust…
@Denise and sledge just click on the screen it will play.xxx