A KNITTING nanna locked herself by the neck to the gates of Santos’ Leewood facility in the Pilliga forest yesterday.
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At 5.20am, 51-year-old Lismore resident Louise Somerville blockaded the building site with a group of Pilliga Action Camp supporters.
Ms Somerville unlocked herself at 9.40am, after police gave her the option to leave willingly or face further consequences.
Ms Somerville said a “small part” of her was worried about the arrest of two women in their 50s for similar action on Friday, but believed it was “more important to make a stand”.
“I’m locked onto this gate to peacefully protest, which is my right as an Australian citizen, because I would like to see this country looked after,” she said.
“I have four children who will be here long after I die and I believe we all have a right to clean water, air and land.”
Ms Somerville is originally from Tara, Queensland, which she said had been ravaged by gasfields.
“I’ve seen the spread and impact of the CSG industry in Queensland and I’m determined to do my part to prevent Santos wreaking the same havoc across NSW,” she said.
“On my visit to the Queensland gasfields I met families with sick children. One of the children’s noses started bleeding while I was there, which was a highly distressing sight as a mother.”
In 2013, a government report by Queensland Health found no clear link between CSG activities and the health complaints of Tara residents.
Coonamble shire farmer Cherie Robinson also took part in the blockade and was happy to stand with people coming to the area to support the protest.
“It is a statewide issue, not just a local one,” Ms Robinson said.
Santos general manager of energy NSW Peter Mitchley said the protest had no impact on the company’s operations.
“Santos staff were able to walk through an alternative gate and continue their work building a reverse osmosis plant at the site,” Mr Mitchley said.
“Santos is confident of the strong support we have in Narrabri. More than 85 per cent of the landholders within our project are supportive of our work.
“Local community groups, including the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce and Yes2Gas, have also voiced their support publicly. It is unfortunate that a few protestors who are not from Narrabri are claiming to speak on behalf of the local community.”
