Hundreds for human sign in protest of coal seam gas in Pilliga

More than 250 people from around NSW joined locals to form a giant human sign within Santos’ proposed gasfield area.

The crowd also staged a mock clean-up of “toxic salts waste” to represent the 430,500 tonnes of salt project would create.

Mullaley farmer Margaret Fleck said the Narrabri Gas Project was an “issue of deep concern” for people across the state.

“Our local alliance has been fighting back this proposal to protect our land, water and the economy of our region for years – now we have a powerful alliance that is growing across the state,” she said.

“A project that would produce over 400,000 tonnes of toxic salty waste and provides no solution to its disposal is clearly not sustainable.”

Boggabri farmer Malcolm Donaldson said the water issues associated with the project were front of mind.

“Santos expect to take water out of the bottom of the bucket without affecting the top,” he said.

“We will continue to mobilise into next year as we simply cannot allow this disaster to unfold, risking our precious Great Artesian Basin and productive farmland.”​

New England Greens candidate Pete Wills joined the hundreds of protesters, as they pushed back against coal seam gas.

“The farmers out here have lost faith that the usual politicians will save them,” Mr Wills said.

“They don't believe the coal parties like Nationals and Labor are working with the best interests of locals and the environment at heart.

“Greens like me are ready to cancel CSG exploration licenses across New England, including those that still threaten Liverpool Plains farms.

“The Greens Senate team is working to protect farms right now, and as New England representative I too will put farmers first by protecting agricultural land, groundwater, and native species habitats from these destructive and unnecessary CSG projects.”