On 31 July 2014 an Anti Fracking Strategy Meeting was held at Geelong Trades Hall.
About 25 people attended the venue on a very wet and cold night. A Powerpoint presentation was presented which introduced the proposal for Frack Free groups in the permit zone PEP163 to form an alliance.
The presentation suggested that seven dedicated groups be formed from volunteers; however those present felt there were insufficient numbers to accommodate what was being proposed. It was decided that as everyone present resided in the City of Greater Geelong that the following three groups be formed to address the immediate issue of having people make submissions to Council:
- Submissions Committee
- Public Meetings Committee
- Media Committee
Each of these groups will be working towards maximising the amount of submissions presented to Council.
Urgent request
An article from Ross Mueller titled, “Clock’s ticking on fracking so let’s start talking now” appeared in Wednesday’s Geelong Advertiser, and it makes quite a few startling statements. We encourage you to not only read it, but to make a comment so as to add some importance of this topic to the Addy’s editor.
» See: www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
Audio postcard to councillors
We recommend you listen to an ‘Audio postcard from the future of fracking’ – an educational radio programme for councillors and others about the prospects of turning our farmland into industrial gasfields.
» www.climatesafety.info/audio-postcard-from-the-future-of-fracking.
This 94.7 The Pulse programme was aired on Wednesday 30 July 2014. In this ‘postcard’, the seven speakers depicted below are experts in their fields regarding fracking. Good job Mik and Tony!
Anti-fracking petition
A few people at the meeting were wondering if they could obtain some petition forms for their workplace needs.
» Here is a form that anyone can print out to collect signatures: Frack-ban_Petition
» Contact Alan Manson via email when you need to send the forms back and he’ll advise you.
» The online petition runs on: change.org
Drew Hutton of ’Lock the Gate’ is on Australian Story
On Monday night, the story of Lock the Gate campaign founder, Drew Hutton, will be told on ABC’s Australian Story. Drew has been an inspiration to communities around the country. His extraordinary generosity, courage and vision have made Lock the Gate what they are today, but there has been a personal cost.
Submissions info
Below are some links to help you appreciate what we as the Geelong community are up against regarding fracking. These links will help you to consider what you need to put into your submission to Council. The meeting on 31 July was informed that people DO NOT need to be a resident of Geelong to make a submission to Council.
1) If you’d like to know how the “gas people” think:
» What the gas industry is saying: www.frackfreegeelong.org/what-the-gas-industry-is-saying
» RFC Ambrian’s Australian Unconventional Oil and Gas report from 2013: www.armourenergy.com.au (PDF)
2) The map:
» Close-ups of the border areas in Geelong
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup1.jpg
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup2.jpg
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup3.jpg
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup4.jpg
» Overview
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163overview.jpg
» Older map where the borders are not quite accurate
frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Geelong-and-AngleseaPEP163.pdf
(If you just want to send ONE link, then they can all be found on this page:
www.frackfreegeelong.org/permission-to-drill)
3) The petition:
PDF for printing on paper (which some people asked for)
The online version is found here: www.frackfreegeelong.org/petition
4) Germany close to banning fracking: www.dw.de
5) Britain approves fracking after suspension (moratorium) lifted: www.dw.de
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This was what the invitation to the meeting looked like
Anti Fracking Strategy Meeting 31 July
Following the fracking protest at Council Meeting last Tuesday, Frack Free Geelong is running a strategy day to plan for the next stages of their campaign. This meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend.
Purpose: To plan a strategy in which to educate the people in the City of Greater Geelong about the issues associated with fracking so that they can make a submission to Council during the allocated period.
The meeting will provide:
• A very brief overview about fracking for those unfamiliar about it;
• Briefly highlight the consequences of the impact fracking operations will have on the environment/community;
• Provide a strategy as to how the community can oppose fracking using Non Violent Direct Actions that have worked successfully elsewhere;
• Provide a timeline regarding the COGG’s submissions period – and beyond;
• Discuss options about attracting media attention to fracking.
When: Thursday 31st July at 7:00pm
Where: Trades Hall, Auditorium – 127 Meyers Street Geelong
RSVP: Alan Manson – frackfreegrovedale@gmail.com
What to bring:
Plenty of ideas about
- How we can reach the broader Geelong community with fracking information
- How to enlist new recruits into the campaign
- How to raise money to run public meetings
- How to raise media interest in the campaign
Invite your friends:
» Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/319253084901599
» Read more about last Tuesday’s event at Council
Background
Council resolved at their meeting on Tuesday 22nd July 2014 to commence a 30 day process to educate Council on the issue of ‘fracking’. Council will be seeking advise from relevant State government departments and agencies as well as experts in various fields. Council will also review any information provided by community groups and individuals.
This process will be followed by Council taking public submissions on the issue of coal seam gas mining, and in particular, the ‘fracking’ process for a period of one month commencing 24th August 2014.
The process outlined will provide opportunity for Council to consider its position regarding coal seam gas mining which can then be reflected in the Environmental Management Strategy.
ABC radio national http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/coal-seam-gas-exports-drive-up-energy-bills/5638226 (Sunday 3rd August 8.00 am). Excellent report on why gas is so expensive and how the government is selling our gas to other countries, driving the price up here in Australia.
Incitec Pivot had been planning on opening a new plant in Australia, until the quote for their gas supply went through the roof ($50 million dollars, and their annual profit is only $20 million). So, instead, they will increase their manufacturing in the US where gas is cheap. And gas is cheap in the US because they have a lot of fracking.
So we are forcing up the price of gas in Australia by selling our gas overseas, and this in turn forces manufacturers out of Australia, so we lose industry here. Yeh, that makes economic sense, NOT! And then the government will of course tell us that we need to rape and pillage the land through fracking. Yeh, that makes sense too, NOT!