Permission to drill: the maps

On the maps below, you can see where authorities have given the mining company Lakes Oil permission to drill for gas exploration. the area covers wineries and reserves, as well as the Waurn Ponds campus of Deakin.

PEP163-closeup1
Click on map to zoom in

PEP163-closeup2

PEP163-closeup3
Click on map to zoom in

PEP163-closeup4



Click on map to see larger size map
Click on map to see larger size map



LINKS TO HIGHER RESOLUTION MAPS

» Close-ups of the border areas in Geelong
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup1.jpg
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup2.jpg
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup3.jpg
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163-closeup4.jpg

» Overview
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PEP163overview.jpg

» Older map where the borders are not accurate
www.frackfreegeelong.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Geelong-and-AngleseaPEP163.pdf


When the state government grants a licence to a company, existing legislation throughout Australia allows that company to mine anywhere within that licence, even if it is on private land. In order to maintain good public relations, most mining companies try to gain permission from land-holders, but in reality a land-holder has no legal right to stop mining from occurring on their land.



frack lines 3.ai

An artist’s impression




» Join the movement against fracking in Geelong



Gas field hazard marked out

A large zone of land, running from Highton to Anglesea, is currently under licence for gas exploration. On Saturday the 15th of February at 2pm, Frack Free Geelong, a community based group who are opposed to gas exploration and mining in the region, hope to bring attention to this issue by marking out a section of the zone with hazard tape.

“As we’ve seen from overseas and interstate, fracking poses serious threats to our health, drinking water, rivers, farmland, and other industries, particularly tourism,” said Elizabeth Packett, spokesperson for Frack Free Geelong.

“We want to raise awareness of this issue in our region by physically marking out an area where a potential gas field could lie. People will be shocked to learn that it’s on the same land as private homes, businesses, churches, kindergartens, sports clubs, Deakin University and even the Highton Cemetery.”

“The state moratorium against fracking, which runs until June 2015, does not protect us from exploration drilling. The mining companies could start that any day, and if they find gas, you can be assured they will do everything they can to extract it. The exploration drilling in itself is a huge investment costing millions of dollars for which these companies will expect a return.”
 

Concerned citizens are invited to join
“Gas mining is a choice, and if we choose to go down that road, we are locking ourselves into continued fossil fuel addiction for decades. According to the latest peer-reviewed climate science, this is the last thing we should be doing. We have other choices. There is no shortage of sun or wind in our area,” explained Elizabeth Packett.

Frack Free Geelong welcomes people who share our concerns to join our event on the 15th of February. Depending on the response from the City of Greater Geelong Council, the group may launch a petition on the day, asking the Mayor and Councillors to make a commitment to ban gas mining within its borders.

In November 2013, Surf Coast Shire Council addressed the issues of fracking in the region by putting a motion forward to state government in support of a permanent ban on coal seam gas exploration.

Saturday 15th of February 2014 at 2pm: Meet at the corner of Scenic Road and Barrabool Road in Highton.

 

Click on map to see larger size map
Click on map to see larger size map

 

PEP163-closeup1
Click on map to see larger size map

 

High resolution photos for download:
» www.frackfreegeelong.org/download

 

Frack Free Geelong are a newly formed community group concerned about the risk that coal, coal seam gas, tight gas and shale gas exploration will have on Geelong and the Surf Coast. The group currently consists of approximately 400 concerned citizens in the Geelong region.

Follow the group on Facebook:
» www.facebook.com/frackfreegeelong

 

 

 

 

 


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Frack Free Geelong calls on the City of Greater Geelong Council to recognise the community’s concern about coal seam gas and other forms of unconventional gas mining and advocate for the prevention of further gas exploration and mining in the City of Greater Geelong.

Frack Free Geelong recommends the Council to move a motion similar to the following:

1) That Council advocates to the state and federal governments for a ban on new gas exploration and mining/extraction in the City of Greater Geelong until it is proven to be safe.

2) That Council works with the community to stop gas exploration, extraction or mining by keeping the community up to date with all relevant information as it becomes available, and by providing resource support to community groups.

3) That Council opposes gas exploration, extraction, mining or infrastructural work on land it owns or manages until it is proven to be safe.

4) That council incorporates this position into its Environmental Management Strategy which is currently out for public comments.

 

 

About the Surf Coast Motion

Frack Free Geelong commends the Surf Coast Shire Council and Barwon Water for taking the concerns of their constituents seriously.

Frack Free Geelong congratulates both the Surf Coast Shire Council and Barwon Water for their recent public statements of concern about the negative impacts which they believe the exploration and extraction of unconventional gas will have in our area.

Now we would like to see the City of Greater Geelong Council, and Barwon Health along with Barwon Water make a very clear stand against this practice.

» More about The Surf Coast motion
 

 

 

About the Environmental Management Strategy 2013-2017

The Geelong City Council is currently drafting their Environmental Management Strategy 2013-2017, but as yet, there is no mention of gas mining within this paper. Frack Free Geelong encourages all citizens who understand that this is an important strategy document for Geelong, and who are concerned abut the environmental impacts of fracking in our region, to send a personal message to the Council asking them to consider adding a section about the Council’s position on fracking.

It can be as simple as sending an email to: environment@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or go to this page and fill in the form:
» www.geelongaustralia.com.au/council/yoursay/consult/item/8d0cae103b24f87.aspx

Before submitting a response, take a look at the draft strategy paper here:
» ‘Environmental Management Strategy 2013-2017’

 

 


Media release
About Frack Free Geelong’s action event on Saturday the 15th of February at 2pm, where Frack Free Geelong hopes to bring attention to this issue by marking out a section of the zone with hazard tape.
5 February 2014



» COMING EVENTS


Tell Geelong Council to take a strategic stand on fracking

gee_EMScover200Speak up! for a frack free Geelong

Geelong City Council is in the process of finalising an important strategy document called the ‘Environmental Management Strategy 2013-2017’.

The environmental concerns over the new gas mining and fracking in our region aren’t even mentioned in this strategy paper. According to what Rodney Thomas, Manager of City of Greater Geelong’s Environment & Waste Services, stated in The Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse on Wednesday, if there were a considerable response from Geelong citizens on this topic (before 28 February 2014), the council would consider adding a paragraph or a section about their position on fracking in the strategy document.

 

So… what this means is that we all need to comment on this.

It can be as simple as sending an email to: environment@geelongcity.vic.gov.au, or go to this page and fill in the form.

All you need to say is that this is an issue that you are concerned about and that you would like to see it included as a matter of importance in this document. If possible, please use your own words as it will make a greater impact than if we all say the same thing.

 

» Before you submit your response, take a look at the draft strategy paper here: ‘Environmental Management Strategy 2013-2017’


Frack Free Geelong’s response to the EMS draft

“In failing to regulate, the Council is essentially promoting new, high-risk fossil fuel extraction in Geelong region. This is a blow for Geelong citizens, for the environment, and for the Environment Management Strategy.”

» This is the collective response from the Frack Free Geelong group, submitted to the council on 28 January 2014: Reponse from FFG on EMS draft




27 January 2014

 

The Manager
Environment and Waste Services
City of Greater Geelong
P.O. Box 104
Geelong 3220

Dear Sir,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environment Management Strategy 2013-2017.

Frack Free Geelong would like to congratulate CoGG on the quality of its EMS and would like to make the following suggestions about it. We propose that the CoGG Environment Management Strategy:

 

1. expresses the Council of Greater Geelong’s support for the continuation of the current moratorium in Victoria on gas exploration and operations; and

2. ensures that no gas mining will be allowed in Greater Geelong before a comprehensive investigation has been conducted into the likely effects of unconventional gas exploration and mining on public health, the environment, agriculture and food security, local communities and tourism.

 

Rationale

The State Government is currently considering a report on coal seam gas mining in Victoria. The report recommends support for coal seam gas mining, including hydraulic fracturing, proceeding in Victoria.

Currently, the state government has approved two unconventional gas explorations in the region – one for coal seam gas held by Western Victoria Energy Pty Ltd and one for tight gas held by Mirboo Ridge Pty Ltd (Lakes Oil).

In failing to regulate, the Council is essentially promoting new, high-risk fossil fuel extraction in Geelong region. This is a blow for Geelong citizens, for the environment, and for the Environment Management Strategy.

There are significant potential risks from coal seam gas, tight gas and shale gas mining, including adverse impacts on key industries like tourism and agriculture, public health and wellbeing implications and environmental implications, potential contamination of groundwater.

Unconventional gas mining is a matter of serious concern to communities in the region of Geelong. Community meetings on fracking have been held in Torquay on 1 October, Moriac on 13 November 2013, Deans Marsh on 25 November 2013 and in Geelong on 12 December 2013. A meeting is scheduled for 2 February in Apollo Bay, and meetings are also being planned in Armstrong Creek and Bellbrae.

These communities are preparing campaigns which will declaring themselves ‘coal seam gas’ free consistent with ‘Lock the Gate’ campaigns conducted in Queensland, New South Wales and Gippsland, and are establishing action plans should the gas mining companies start to explore in their area. (For more information on this, see www.frackfreegeelong.org).

While the concern of Geelong’s citizens is to protect the city’s aquifers, it is also about protecting the atmosphere from more pollution with greenhouse gases, and the climate change which is caused by this air pollution. Pushing ahead with gas extraction is a waste of effort and capital at a time when we need to be looking for ways to use less, not more fossil fuels.

It is actually very disturbing that exploration for gas mining has been allowed at all without any environmental impact assessments, clear separation distances and bans in environmentally-sensitive areas.

The Surf Coast Shire Council resolved on 22 August 2012 to call on the Victorian Government to institute a moratorium on all new coal seam gas exploration and operations until there had been a comprehensive investigation into the likely effects of the industry on the environment and local communities. This investigation has still not occurred. It is critical that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and the results shared with the public before the State Government gives any consideration to lifting the current moratorium.

Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth Packett

 
on behalf of
Frack Free Geelong
– a local community group
www.frackfreegeelong.org

 

 

 

 


Council’s environment strategy must take a clear stand on fracking
Media release about Frack Free Geelong’s submission commenting on City of Greater Geelong Council’s draft Environmental Management Strategy
30 January 2014
» Webpage: www.frackfreegeelong.org/tell-geelong-council-to-take-a-strategic-stand-on-fracking



 

Appendix

 

Farming for coal, gas

Letter to the Editor, 24 January 2014, in Geelong Independent:

Coal and coal seam gas exploration licences cover large areas to the west of Geelong, along the coast as far as Anglesea and Port Campbell and across the Bellarine Peninsula.

Farmers can be forced to permit companies to carry out exploration and, after obtaining the relevant licences, commence drilling, fracking or mining on their properties.

Coal seam gas extraction with associated fracking can result in water polution, reduced water availability and salinity. The extraction process involves the use and transport of heavy equipment and many trucks. The large vehicles servicing drilling rigs, travel country roads frequently and can cause serious damage to roads.

Pipes traversing the paddocs can be a hazard.

These are problems frequently reported by farmers in New South Wales and Queensland. Valuable farmland might eventually be lost, causing reduced food production.

Farmers are becoming more concerned about the threat posed by coal seam gas and coal mining and are attending information meetings in country halls.

Perhaps our politicians are taking notice.

 

Joan Lindros and Rod Clark
Geelong Environment Council

 

 

 


Group urges council to show its stance on fracking

surf-coast_6feb_560

Surf Coast Times – 6 February 2014
By James Taylor


 

 

Barwon Water supports moratorium, but… is that all?


barwon-water-about-fracking

Barwon Water – Victoria’s largest regional water corporation – was asked for a comment on the report from Western Australia that the Water Corporation there wants a ban on fracking.

Their reply, via Facebook, was:

“Barwon Water supports the Victorian Government’s current moratorium on coal seam gas mining. Barwon Water would object to any proposal deemed detrimental to the region’s water resources.”



To which Mik Aidt replied – via Facebook – in this way:

“Thank you for the reply. Highly appreciated.

I am aware that Facebook is probably not the place we should be discussing these matters, but it appears to me as if your answer is somewhat speaking in riddles, leaving a lot open for interpretation. And yes, I know you have to watch your mouth with this, because otherwise you’d need to get clearance from here and there in the organisation before you could write anything.

But let me elaborate, so you understand what I am trying to say:

1)
In your first sentence you seem to be saying: “Barwon Water is happy with the temporary ban on fracking and coal seam gas mining, but we do not – like the WA’s Water Corporation did, (according to that article which I was refering you to) – wish to call out loud for fracking to be banned in areas where it affects drinking water sources (on the grounds that the contamination risks simply are unacceptable for us).”

OK then. But… why not?

This was what I was asking: Will you make a statement as strong as Water Corp did – or won’t you? And if not, then WHY NOT?

I mean, when the WA Water Corporation can do it, then why can’t – or won’t – Barwon Water do something similar? To me, that seems strange. Aren’t both companies dealing with the same substance: WATER?

So what exactly is holding you back from making a more bold statement and taking a more bold position? Politics? But… is Barwon Water a political organisation? Or are you there to protect the interests of the people who drink your water?

2)
In your second sentence you are saying something I think very few people would criticise you for. But you are not saying whether you find GAS MINING and FRACKING in Geelong’s farmland something which is “detrimental to the region’s water resources”.
I would very much like to know what your stand is on fracking, in reference to the presentations which citizens of Geelongs were listening to at a public meeting about fracking in mid-December – (you can read quotes and listen to the speeches here: http://climatesafety.info/?p=5700 )
Who will decide whether the fracking in our region is “detrimental to the region’s water resources”? Will Barwon Water make its own independent research and investigation? Or will you leave that up to the Victorian Government to decide?
As you most likely know, but can’t talk about, is that what we are up against here is those assurances from government sources, politicians or from the gas industry itself are absolutely worthless.
Professor Anthony Ingraffea says “6 percent of the pipes fail immidiately. 60 percent fail after 20 years. And they all fail eventually.”
“So when we get the spin from this industry telling us that it is all safe and we are looking after you, we know that that is lying. That is not true.”
Quote: Ian Gaillard, Lock the Gate Northern Rivers

So, summing up, or to refrase the question: I’d be very pleased if you could let me know more in detail HOW you expect to find out about whether the gas mining in our region is “detrimental to the region’s water resources” – and also WHEN you expect this to be determined. As you might have heard, gas mining companies are moving in in the beginning of 2014 to start the drilling… so you if you are serious about your objection to any proposal deemed detrimental to the region’s water resources, you don’t have that much time any longer to make up your mind about it.

Looking forward to hear and learn more.”


We are waiting for a response from Barwon Water.



USA: Breakthroughs on fracking

“People should see and hear the truth before they find themselves living next door to dirty drilling.”

Martin Sheen’s Breakthroughs program on PBS television recently released an expose on fracking featuring Environment America. As the debate over dirty drilling continues to mount, the Breakthroughs piece could reach as many as 60 million viewers in all 50 states.

“Fracking is taking a terrible toll on our environment and our health,” said John Rumpler, senior attorney for Environment America. “People should see and hear the truth before they find themselves living next door to dirty drilling.”

Shot on location in Pennsylvania – epicenter of the fracking frenzy.

 

 
» Read more:
www.livinggreenmag.com


Community outraged over fracking threat

Citizens of Geelong are outraged to find out that the oil and gas company Lakes Oil is coming to the region. The company acquired an exploration license for ‘tight gas’, a kind of ‘unconventional’ gas. This exploration is likely to involve the controversial fracking (hydraulic fracturing) technique which is known to contaminate aquifers with toxic chemicals.

MVI_9546_arms-up

The license currently covers the outskirts of Geelong at Waurn Ponds, as well as taking in Anglesea, Torquay, and vast tracts of farmland in-between.

The company has not been willing to reveal when they will start the drilling, or where, but rumours have spread that they could begin test drilling and exploration as early as January 2014.

Upon hearing this, an unlikely mix of local farmers, fishermen, tradesmen, civil servants, teachers, doctors, artists, students, and parents from Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast have begun preparing for the arrival of ‘the frackers’.





Keep fracking companies out
Three action groups have emerged in the last few weeks, taking inspiration from the methods which have been used in Gippsland and New South Wales to keep the fracking companies out. In these places, one community after the next has declared itself ‘Coal and Unconventional Gas Free’ after surveying their communities and finding over 95 percent of residents support keeping coal and gas companies out.

“After hearing about the exploration license over Geelong and surrounds, we made contact with people from farming communities in Gippsland who have already had bad encounters with Lakes Oil and are coming together to drive them out. We’ve seen what fracking has done to communities in Queensland and across the USA. We can’t risk that kind of contamination happening here,” said Frack Free Geelong group member, Anthony Gleeson


Global call for ban on fracking
These new groups in the Geelong area are also linking with an international movement against the process of ‘fracking’, which has devastated communities across the world. October the 19th was a global day of action calling for a ban on fracking. Groups from 200 cities in 25 different countries participated. At Geelong’s waterfront a group of concerned citizens joined them to demand that the current moratorium on fracking in Victoria is strengthened into an outright ban on all types of fracking.

The moratorium only applies to Shale Gas whereas Coal Seam Gas mining could start at any time.

“There are no regulations in place to make sure some of the safety standards that exist, exist in Victoria,” said Associate Professor Samantha Hepburn, Deakin University’s expert on environmental property and natural resource management: “Striking a balance between farming and coal seam gas mining will be difficult. The intersection between mining and agriculture, and in particular the impact that coal seam gas mining will have upon food security, is a major concern.”

The action comes in the wake of the release of a report by Peter Reith, recommending the state government lift the current moratorium on fracking as soon as possible.

“Fracking is not part of anyone’s vision for a clean energy future for Geelong. We thought we were safe under the moratorium against fracking. But with the Reith report, we can now see that this will no longer be the case. The Napthine government is keen to step up the drilling for gas, and Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane is saying that companies should extract ‘every molecule’ of gas to boost exports and supply the domestic market. In addition, Geelong City Council is keen on expanding the city’s port for fossil fuel exports. What this means is that we must take bolder steps as individuals to protect our land and our future,” said Anthony Gleeson.

“These are our choices: Do you want healthy jobs, or unhealthy jobs? Do you want clean drinking water, or water contaminated with toxic chemicals? Do you want farmland for food production, or do we want to see it raped? Do we want to continue business as usual and suffer the impacts of runaway climate change? Or do we want to move into a job-rich clean energy future?”

The three groups Frack Free Geelong, Frack Free Bellarine and Frack Free Surf Coast will meet next at Trades Hall in Geelong on the 28th of October at 6pm.


Media coverage of this event

advertiser-article21oct_200► Geelong Advertiser – 21 October 2013:
Licence sparks fracking friction
A mining licence that could see controversial fracking on the outskirts of Geelong must be stopped, protesters have said. Article by Anthea Cannon

► Armstrong Creek Times – October 2013:
Community groups vent their opposition to fracking
Article by James Taylor



For more comment please contact:
Anthony Gleeson
»  Phone:   0447 619736
»  E-mail:   anthonygleeson@climatesafety.info

For more information see:
»  www.globalfrackdown.org
»  www.facebook.com/FrackFreeGeelong
»  www.climatesafety.info/FrackFree

Audio recordings:
»  Speakers at a meeting in Geelong on 24 September 2013: www.climatesafety.info/?p=4663

Video recording:
» Short videoclip from 19 October at Geelong Waterfront: youtu.be/BpxgQg6GX9U

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Photo above: At Geelong’s waterfront a group of concerned citizens joined the ‘Global Frackdown’ campaign to demand that the current moratorium on fracking in Victoria is strengthened into an outright ban on all types of fracking.

Photo copyright: Photo by Mik Aidt is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia and can be published in print media free of charge.

» Download photo in high resolution


Map: from Petroleum Exploration Permit no 163

Geelong-and-AngleseaPEP163_800

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FRACK FREE GEELONG REGION

» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeGeelong
» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeBellarine
» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeSurfCoast

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“The Global Frackdown shows that the movement for a ban on fracking is truly worldwide. To frack or not to frack comes down to this simple choice: do we want another fifty years of dependency and addiction to toxic fossil fuels, or do we want to move on, worldwide, to renewable energy.

From every perspective be it water and air contamination, global climate change or the health of our democracies worldwide, we need to break from the past. The Global Frackdown is one of many powerful moments where the world is saying we need to move on.
Josh Fox, the director of Gasland and Advisory Board Member for Americans Against Fracking


Common Dreams – 18 October 2013:
Activists on Six Continents to Urge Global Leaders to Ban Fracking



“Like throwing fuel onto fire”
~ Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth Melbourne


MEDIA COVERAGE – CLIPPINGS FROM THE PRESS

► Geelong Independent – 15 November 2013:
Barwon Water ‘fracking’ fears
Barwon Water has revealed concerns about fracking potentially contaminating water supplies.
By John van Klaveren

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Independent – 8 November 2013:
New ‘fracking’ permit: Otways up for exploration
State Government has issued a new permit to explore “fracking” opportunities in the Otway basin despite a moratorium on coal seam gas (CSG) extraction, according to shadow resources minister John Lenders.
By John van Klaveren

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 4 November 2013:
Armour achieve shale gas first
Armour Energy has become the first Australian company to flow gas from shale using the fracking technique that has revolutionised US energy markets. (…) The boom in shale gas – which is gas trapped in rocks at deeper levels than both conventional and coal seam gas – due to advances in drilling technology has given US industry a boost by providing cheaper energy. Armour’s chief executive Robbert (Robbert) de Weijer said the company wanted to provide a similar solution in Australia.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 4 November 2013:
EDITORIAL: Moving to renewable energy
Investment of $5 million and potentially up to $25 million by the State Government in local geothermal power exploration has been welcomed by renewal energy supporters. If successful, the Geelong Geothermal Power Project could bring about a 140-megawatt plant providing clean, renewable power for 100,000 homes. Under the initial agreement between Spring St and Greenearth, a pilot power station will look to generate 12mW using hot water from 4 km underground.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 4 November 2013:
Your Say
The revelation, by an Australian mining company in the UK, that fracking has caused earth tremors near Blackpool was enough for Tony Windsor to withhold support for renewable energy “until the science is in”. Are we to allow Ted Baillieu and his Spring Street colleagues to compromise both the homes of the Otways and the water table beneath Anglesea? Shame, Ted, shame!!
By Kevin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 1 November 2013:
Growing opposition to CSG in Victoria
The Labor Party, environment groups and the Greens say there must be a proper public consultation process before coal seam gas (CSG) extraction is introduced in Victoria.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Armstrong Creek Times – October 2013:
Community groups vent their opposition to fracking
By James Taylor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 21 October 2013:
Licence sparks fracking friction
A mining licence that could see controversial fracking on the outskirts of Geelong must be stopped, protesters have said.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Advertiser – 21 October 2013:
Your Say
To Dylan of Geelong and others. When you have a gas flame coming out of you kitchen sink tap, with the water, like they did in Queensland and USA, etc. Plus you, your pet’s or farm animals, are getting sick or deseased or die. And you can’t grow anything, there goes your livihood. Or sell your property. Under ground table water is posioned, is that how you wish to live. Then, fair enough you go for it. See the documentaries, about this happening.
By Jock

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Independent | Letters – 27 June 2013:
Frack and ruin
Phone the Energy Minister on 9651 1156, or email the Premier, and ask for the moratorium on fracking to be extended to all similar practives and made permanent.
By Christopher Bates

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Independent – 27 June 2013:
Geelong ‘front’ of fracking
A stretch of farmland between Geelong and Anglesea could become a battleground on the controversial mining practice of fracking.
By John van Klaveren

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Colac Herald – 19 June 2013:
Fracking fear for Otways
Colac district residents fear mining companies will mine for gas in the Otways, pumping chemicals underground.
By Scott Barnes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Geelong Independent – 13 June 2013:
Region a ‘fracking’ target
The controversial practice of “fracking” could come to Geelong after oil and gas explorer Lakes Oil revealed it was conducting geological and geophysical studies in the region.
By John van Klaveren

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

► Stock and Land – 3 June 2013:
SE targeted for gas mining
Farmers and activists want ironclad guarantees that unconventional gas exploration in the Otway Basin will not lead to contamination of aquifers underpinning agricultural production in the South East. A 5657-square kilometre mining block in the Otway Basin closed for bidding in April, confirming the region’s status as a key component in the State Government’s Roadmap for Unconventional Gas in South Australia.
By Malcolm Sutton



Learn more

If you would like to learn more, go to this page:
Geelong protests against fracking
…where you can sign up to participate in the movement



Previous posts from the Frack Free groups


The following was published on 11 October 2013:

Global Frackdown on 19 October – also in Geelong

Are you ready to get down with the Global Frackdown to call for a ban on fracking? Show your support for a frack-free Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast on 19 October 2013.

globalfrackdown-gee_858x500

19 October 2013 is the Global Frackdown2 – an international day to stop fracking.

If you oppose fracking for unconventional gas in all it’s forms and would like to ensure it doesn’t happen in Geelong region, Bellarine or Surf Coast, join us to tell Lakes Oil “NO FRACKING WAY!!”

We will be gathering on the grass at Geelong waterfront near the carousel to take a group photo at 1.30pm.

Sign up for the photo shoot



» More about the international event on globalfrackdown.org


Global Frackdown Mission statement

Fracking for oil and gas is inherently unsafe and the harms of this industry cannot be fully mitigated by regulation. We reject the multi-million dollar public relations campaign by big oil and gas companies and urge our local, state, and national officials to reject fracking.

We stand united as a global movement in calling on governmental officials at all levels to pursue a renewable energy future and not allow fracking or any of the associated infrastructure in our communities or any communities.

We are communities fighting fracking, frac sand mining, pipelines, compressor stations, LNG terminals, exports of natural gas, coal seam gas, coal bed methane and more. Fracking is not part of our vision for a clean energy future and should be banned.


Join the Global Frackdown

Global Frackdown2 is initiated and co-ordinated by the American organisation Food & Water Watch in Washington DC. Here’s how you can take part or help:

» Help promote an event near you, or register your own. Check out this list for more details: globalfrackdown.org/events

» For help planning an event, download the Global Frackdown Action Toolkit: Global-Frackdown2-Toolkit.pdf

» Find images, videos and sample tweets to share on social media here: http://www.globalfrackdown.org/social-media/


Frack Free Newsletter no 2

On 11 October 2013, we sent out a newsletter to around 70 people in Geelong region, Bellarine & Surf Coast – about the following topics:

• Next meeting: on Tuesday
• Excerpt from the film ‘Fractured Country’ now on youtube.com
• Harmers Haven: Frack free community celebration on 27 October
• Fracking news and reading material:
– Ross Gittins: Fracking fools
– Fracking a headache for Napthine
– Can rural vet practice survive mining?
– EU to put a brake on fracking
– Letter to the British Ambassador
– Marcellus Shale Exposed: Tony Ingraffea
• Extra

If you would like to receive this ‘frack free’ newsletter, then send an email to frackfree@climatesafety.info with a short text explaining about why you’d like to learn more about this, whether you would like to help with the campaigning, and also whether you’d like to be on the mailinglist to receive the next newsletters.


Excerpt from the film ‘Fractured Country’ now on youtube

Make sure that your neighbours, friends and family get to see this.

» ‘Fractured Country’ webisode 01 (Duration: 8:58) on youtube.com

» Download the videofile to your harddrive (MP4-format, 720p)

Lock the Gate Alliance has started releasing their two new films, ‘Undermining Australia’ and ‘Fractured Country’, as shortened excerpts on youtube.com and vimeo.com.
The first excerpt from ‘Fractured Country’, the film we screened in Geelong, has a duration of 9 minutes.

Over the next two months, Lock the Gate Alliance will be releasing a new ‘webisode’ every Monday, so that you can follow the amazing stories of courage and loss told firsthand by farming families as they face a rapacious and uncaring industry.

Lock the Gate Alliance writes: “Feedback to the films from around the country has been fantastic and we are now thrilled to be able to share them in bite sized format with you. We would love to hear what you think so why not leave a comment or a message to those that featured in the films?

With your support we can defend the country that we love and everything that makes it unique.  Please make a donation today so that our voice becomes stronger, amplified by an ever greater number of people touched by these films.”

» Read more: lockthegate.org.au/webisodes

On youtube.com the film ‘Fractured Country’ has been split up in six ‘webisodes’:

Webisode 1 – youtube.com/watch?v=KA9Doq2283E

Webisode 2 – youtube.com/watch?v=BLTsuLR9gbY

Webisode 3 – youtube.com/watch?v=MtqdgOtZ2mM

Webisode 4 – food – youtube.com/watch?v=OZHQXNqr-3Q

Webisode 5 – natural icons – youtube.com/watch?v=WyOp4W0bCF8

Webisode 6 – community – youtube.com/watch?v=gUjOKDYVYIU

» For more information, go to lockthegate.org.au/films

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

online poll by Opinion Stage

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FOR A FRACK FREE GEELONG REGION
» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeGeelong
» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeBellarine
» www.facebook.com/FrackFreeSurfCoast

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

» www.climatesafety.info/fracking




Previous blogposts about this topic

icon_small-arrow_RIGHT Movement for a frack free Geelong region


icon_small-arrow_RIGHT Geelong protests against fracking


icon_small-arrow_RIGHT Help make our region fossil fuel free



Protect our region from gas mining