Anti-CSG protests persist in Pilliga

Coonabarabran resident Nicole Hunter, a mother of three, locked herself to an excavator which had entered the forest to clear an area in preparation for construction of exploration CSG wells.

Reports stated she was supported by about 30 protesters at the site.

"We want to raise our children on a local farm and settle here for life,” she said.

"I'm afraid to do this, but it's worth getting arrested to defend what we’ve got here.

“We love this area, and don't want to see it industrialised. We want to preserve the character of our town and region.”

A spokeswoman for Santos said while the government has granted approval to the company for its proposed exploration activities, no drilling was imminent.

She said while activity had been halted at one site, clearing was continuing at Santos’ other site in the forest “without delay”.

Agricultural business consultant Rohan Boehm, who represents lobby group People for the Plains, said more disruption to Santos’ clearing in the Pilliga was planned.

“We will continue to resist and restrict access to that area,” Mr Boehm said.

“Clearing is only undertaken to pave the way construction of a fully fledged gas field.”

Santos said in statements that while it respects “the right of individuals to lawfully and safely protest, there must also be respect for our workers and contractors on site”.

“We are committed to carrying out our work in a safe and sustainable manner. Santos has received all necessary regulatory approvals to carry out this work, which is placed in a section of the State Forest specifically zoned for natural gas development.”