Gas pipeline is a worry

Lynchs Creek and Kyogle residents are calling a town meeting on Thursday, March 17, to discuss concerns about coal seam gas, specifically the gas pipeline that is proposed to run from Casino to Ipswich and runs right through the middle of Kyogle.

Lynchs Creek resident Leah Hobbs said people were worried about possible gas leaks into the air and water.

“None of us have any alliance to any political party, we are merely working from the point that we are extremely concerned about this pipeline coming straight through our community. In fact none of the political parties will offer a guarantee of stopping the pipeline from running through our community,” Leah said. “We are mothers and fathers who care about the future of our children. We all have that in common, surely? I would like to buy cattle and grow a few crops on my land but, until the details of this project are known, we can’t afford to sink any money into anything.”

The proposed pipeline will pipe the gas to Ipswich, then possibly Gladstone, so it can be prepared for export.

“Why is this line jutting straight off the highway where it was following the railway line and main road, and coming into Lynchs Creek, right through 20-30 farming properties and zig zagging our creeks?” Leah asked. “I fear that in the future they plan to have gas wells all through our area, and that they are after our water supply. Lynchs Creek has some of the cleanest water in the world, and it never dries up. Many properties in Queensland have noticed significant drops in their water when this process of coal seam mining is nearby.”

The meeting will be at the Kyogle Memorial Hall from 6pm on Thursday, March 17. The Environmental Defender’s Office will be there to answer questions about property rights and give the latest update in what’s happening the area. People are asked to contribute a gold coin for hall hire. For more information call Leah on 6636 2259.