Theft didn't stop test, but sure revealed a leaky organisation

The stories coming out of the Northern Star over the last few days surprised me. Have I not gotten used to seeing the protests around the State re: CSG? You know all that Occupy & Lock the Gate stuff, Greens and Socialist Alliance et al.

Well, there's always something new. The latest news involved around 50 protesters on a Friday trying to block Metgasco employees and seismic contractors from performing a low impact survey in Casino. I guess these protestors do not work on Fridays, but works on the weekends instead, as the numbers went down to 15.

Perhaps it was a nice beach day on Sunday over at Byron. Well, even the unemployed has right to protest, no problem with that! But playing the victims does seem to lose it's effectiveness after a while.


Theft didn't stop test - The Northern Star article

Mel McMillan 5th Nov 2012 5:00 AM

work was approved by relevent authorities and land owners, so what's this so call NR CSG Free group doing? Another loosely formed greens group grabbing the local headline perhaps.

To see that the spokesperson of the group state that his organisation is a peaceful organisation, which does not condone theft or crime; is comparable perhaps a terrorist group not claiming responsibility to attacks. That sounds extreme perhaps, but you can not claim to be an organisation, if you can not maintain control and the quality of you members. Don't flatter yourself.

METGASCO has accused anti-coal seam gas activists of theft, physical intimidation of its staff and destruction of private property at a protest held in Casino since Friday. The CSG company which has operations in the Richmond Valley is alleging environmental activists have stolen seismic equipment worth about $5500.

The company also alleges activists physically intimidated Metgasco staff and contractors while they were staying at a Lismore hotel. Metgasco claims superglue was inserted into locks at the Primex site, where the seismic equipment was being stored. The company claims to have images of the theft that will be handed to the police.

On Friday, more than 50 activists first gathered near the Casino Primex site as Metgasco began seismic testing close to the sewage treatment works on Spring Grove Rd.
However, the number of protestors on site at the weekend sat between 15 and 30.

Media spokesperson for CSG Free Northern Rivers, Adam Guise said he could not comment specifically on the allegations because it was a matter for the police, but said his organisation did not condone the theft of property or the harassment of Metgasco staff.
"We are a peaceful organisation. We do not condone the theft of property," Mr Guise said.
CSG Free Northern Rivers would continue to ensure the protest remained peaceful.
Metgasco said its seismic activities had not been disrupted and were proceeding.
Because of a major operation around a fuel tanker crash, police were not available to comment.

Source: http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/theft-didnt-stop-test/1608593/