this should make you chuckle

From today's edition of the South Burnett Times - Friday 8th Novemeber 2010.

Front Page Headline:-

STAR POWER TO THE RESCUE:

Can Erin Brockovich help in UCG fight? P3


GROUP CALL ON HELP OF FAMOUS GO-GETTER

Erin Brockovich could be the Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group's next option in their on-going battle to prove underground coal gasification (UCG) is a real risk in Kingaroy.

At a meeting on Tuesday night KCCG secretary John Dalton said members decided the famous legal representative who is said to be based in Toowoomba, could help them with their fight against Cougar Energy's UCG pilot plant.

"One of our members brought it up and her experience was noted," Mr Dalton said.

"It's a possible option for us."

About 46 KCCG members attended the meeting but Mr Dalton said many were anxious about the final report, due to be delivered by minister Kate Jones in January.

"We're hopeful it won't re-open but there's a little corner in everyone's mind that knows it could," he said.

"There'd have to be compelling evidence to show that UCG would benefit the environment, the business, town and residents of Kingaroy because so far it fails on all counts."

Mr Dalton and KCCG member Damien O'Sullivan travelled to the Darling Downs to meet with landowners and groups struggling in their own battle against coal seam gas (CSG) companies. Last week two companies, including BG Group who committed $15 billion to a liquefied natural gas project, were given approval to expand production in Surat Basin and Chinchilla gas fields.

"It proved to us that the government has a lot of work to do," Mr Dalton said.

"The technology, like UCG, is yet to be proven and they've approved it without thought. We're all talking about having one big meeting in Dalby for all people affected by the gas projects."

Next week representatives from the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) will meet with seven KCCG members, South Burnett Regional Council mayor David Carter and Nanango MP Dorothy Pratt to discuss Cougar Energy's environmental reports.

"We want to know we've really been heard so when DERM make the decision we have said everything we needed to say."

ENDS

There is also a large photograph of Erin Brockovich (approximately 17cm high by 14cm wide), below it reads:-

FAMOUS: When many hear the name Erin Brockovich they immediately think of Julia Roberts and the film that brought the woman fame. Now the Kingaroy concerned Citizens Group hopes to bring the American celebrity on board in its battle against Cougar Energy.

ENDS