Protesters take to the water
The Stop CSG Illawarra alliance organised the event, joined by members of the Wilderness Society, local councillors and hundreds of residents giving voice to their concerns about the impact of mining on their immediate surrounds.
“Stop CSG,” they chanted as drummers led the procession under a banner reading: “Say No to destructive mining and coal seam gas!”
The timing of the protest will not be lost of the NSW Planning Assessment Commission which is meeting today in Helensburgh to hear community concerns about Apex Energy's application to drill a sixteenth bore hole at Darkes Forest.
Stop CSG Illawarra spokesperson Jess Moore said the walk was part of a national day of coordinated action under the theme Defend Our Water. Protestors are calling for a moratorium on the CSG industry, a Royal Commission into CSG and a ban on fracking.
"Today was an enormous show of broad community opposition to coal seam gas mining; people from all walks of life coming together to protect our future,” Ms Moore said.
"Residents organised this action because we're concerned about the contamination of our drinking water and damage to aquifers, particularly given that all local approvals are in or around Sydney Catchment Authority Special Areas.”
Police reported no incidents during the two hours the bridge was closed, with protestors removing banners which had been unfurled on the cliff face after the media fly-over.
