Blockade to stop Tara gas pipeline

Jeff Douwes (right) and his father in law Graham Coombs agree with Tara residents that CSG mining will harm the environment. They were part of a blockade in Tara on Tuesday.

Craig Warhurst

AS the coal seam gas debate heats up, the Gympie region is jumping on board to show its support for Tara landowners trying to stop Queensland Gas Company (QGC) linking a pipeline in their rural residential estate.

Gympie’s Graham Coombs and Jeff Douwes drove out to Tara this week to take part in a blockade at the QGC Kenya office.

They joined about 70 protesters on Tuesday blocking three of QGC’s driveways, stopping trucks from leaving the site.

The blockade officially started on Monday in a bid to stop QGC connecting a pipeline with wells in the Tara estate, and is set to go on for some time as protesters say they won’t give up the fight.

Mr Douwes said they camped over night at one of the protesters’ homes, in the estate concerned, and peacefully protested all day on Tuesday.

“We were standing in front of their driveway holding a large banner blocking the entrance,” he said.

Mr Coombs said if he did not speak up now the “problem” would come to the Gympie region and threaten our area.

He said coal explorations were underway in Tiaro, which could lead to CSG mining.

Both Mr Coombs and Mr Douwes thought the protest was successful, agreeing there was a good energy among protesters.

“Coal seam gas seems to be a very awkward way of getting energy out of the ground,” Mr Douwes said.

He said the chemicals used when gas companies fracced the ground (extracted the gas by hydraulic fracturing) were harmful.

Mr Coombs said he was lost for words when resident and grandmother June Norman, 70, was arrested for peacefully protesting and refusing to leave the blockade.

“We talked to her. We were amazed there was such a large police contingent there.

“People came from all over Australia. I feel that (CSM mining) is genuinely damaging to the earth and environment,” he said.

“I feel it won’t stop. It doesn’t mix well with farming.

“Radium is used to track the gas; it gets into the water table.

“It could compromise or pollute the artesian basin.”

Mr Coombs is worried that as the industry takes off more and more bores would pop up where ever coal was found.

He said as the gas came to the surface some escaped into and turned the ground into “a density of toxic sludge”.

Mr Douwes said the people of Tara were divided, with some thinking the CSG industry would benefit the town. Others believe it would ruin it.

There may be a big confrontation on Saturday, Mr Coombes said, as QGC workers are set to try and link the pipeline across Wieambilla Rd in the estate.

And residents have said they would block them.

The protests are continuing and Mr Coombs said he would try and get a carload of supporters to go with him next time.

To get involved email Mr Douwes at Jeff.Douwes@yahoo.com or call 5483 9165.