Ep. 2011-12: Contesting Gas

Broadcast on 14th April 2011 at 9-9.30am on 2SER 107.3FM in Sydney.
With James Hitchcock and Simon Unwin.
Download show: Ep.2011-12: Contesting Gas



Bob Irwin joins the Tara Blockade (Six Degrees)



In Australia the gas industry is experiencing a boom like never before. Dubbed by industries and governments as a bridging fuel due to its lower greenhouse gas emissions when burned than coal, the gas industry is moving into regions formally untouched by extractive industries. With it is bringing what the industry dubs 'unconventional' techniques to extract gas which until recently would have been economically unviable to capture.

However the explosion in gas has led to the proposed sites of extraction and infrastructure being highly contested by local communities. They argue the proposed benefits regarding greenhouse gases are arguable, that pollution at sites of extraction, including leakage at gas wells and toxins involved with hydraulic fracking pose health risks, and the processes allowing extraction to go ahead do not adequately recognise or respect cultural and land rights.

Simon Unwin talks with Jacinta Green from Sydney Residents Against Coal Seam Gas regarding a drilling project proposed for the inner Sydney suburb of St Peters. The drilling will likely supply gas for the City of Sydney's planned trigeneration scheme. There will be a film screening of Gasland, May 5th, 630pm at Addison Rd community centre.

In the Kimberly,WA, Woodside Petroleum is planning to build a large offshore gas project, as well as an LNG processing plant at James Price Point. Jessica Minshall speaks with Martin Pritchard, Director of Environs Kimberly.

We also hear from Drew Hutton, campaigner from Friends of the Earth and the Lock the Gate campaign, about the community of Tara, QLD, who have been blockading the operations of QGC who plan extensive coal seam gas operations in the Surat Basin. The audio was recorded at the 'Cant eat coal, cant drink gas' rally in Sydney, March 2011.

Also on this weeks show we played 'Wind of freedom' by the Pigram Brothers. That recording was taken from the Save the Kimberly website.