Locals picket at gas conference

On the inside were executives from dozens of coal seam gas companies. On the outside were hundreds of activists determined to get their message through that the controversial mining practice was not wanted anywhere near water aquifers or agricultural land. In the middle were the police.

Welcome to the ninth annual CSG conference, held at the Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane this week as part of “Unconventional Gas Week”.

Local activists from Keerong and Nimbin were part of the 200 strong crowd that included other anti-CSG groups such as the Lock the Gate Alliance and farmers from as far away as Western Australia.

Keerong Gas Squad member Judi Emmett said it was the first time she had ever participated in a protest. She and her family stayed in a room on the 23rd floor of the hotel and she said the noise from the protestors could be heard from there.

“They (the mining companies) definitely know we are here,” she said.

Fellow Keerong Gas Squad member Ian Gaillard said it was important for them to get there.

“There were people from Tara and the Gold Coast and others who had travelled a long way to let the mining companies know we are disgusted with their onslaught on our water. Dayne Pratzky (from Lock the Gate) was arrested for attempting to lock the gate on the executives in the hotel, which was a symbolic act to show them that’s what we will do all over the country.”

Media reports say Mr Pratzky was released without charge and that Queensland Environment Minister Kate Jones was trapped inside the hotel because of security concerns protestors would climb on her car if she attempted to leave the conference.

Judi Emmett said the police were “fabulous” and that it was a rowdy, but peaceful, protest. However she was critical of the hotel staff who harassed her children and made them cry.