not a toilet joke

Urinating coal seam gas protesters on the north coast to be evicted

GEOFF CHAMBERS THE DAILY TELEGRAPH APRIL 24, 2014 12:42PM

HUNDREDS of anti-gas protesters camping outside the Graham family farm on the north coast have been evicted by the Richmond Valley Council, setting up a showdown with police and other government agencies.

The eviction, which takes effect from Saturday, has sparked an angry reaction from protesters accused of urinating on canvas and using detergent to wash clothes and themselves in a nearby creek.

Lock The Gate spokesman Ian Gaillard told The Daily Telegraph they would not leave the campsite despite the council’s decision to discard their development application, which would have increased current capacity from 200 to 600 people.

“We have no intention of moving out,” Mr Gaillard said, setting up a showdown with police who would be needed to disperse the campsite. Richmond Valley Council Mayor Ernie Bennett said protesters could come back to council with a more detailed development application. The council currently adopts a neutral position on CSG drilling.

Mr Bennett said under the current “primitive camp” approval, which lasted two months, there had been several breaches at the campsite relating to hygiene, concerts and transport management.

“It is our duty to ensure that the public is safe and that planning laws are being adhered to,” Mr Bennett said. Mr Gaillard said he could attract up to 7000 protesters from surrounding areas to the campsite if needed and described the following as a “phenomenon”.

Both police and RMS made submissions to council against approval of a 600-person campsite, which is located on a 100km/h road. Energy Minister Anthony Roberts last week visited the region and said he was shocked by some structures setup by protesters.

A 10m tripod, without council approval, has been erected at the gates of the Graham family farm, where drilling equipment would be brought in.

“There has been interference with Mr Graham’s property including the welding shut of his gates and the installation of dangerous steel spikes on his driveway,” Mr Roberts said. Last month, about 2000 protesters attended a protest against plans by Metgasco to begin exploratory drilling for conventional gas on the Graham family farm on Bentley Road.

Metgasco had planned to begin drilling last month but there have been delays with the drill, which was being used in Queensland.

Source:

http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/urinating-coal-seam-gas-protesters-on-the-north-coast-to-be-evicted/story-fni0cx12-1226894827062