12 Aug 2012
Lock The Gate, Northern Rivers Alliance & Kyogle G.A.G are celebrating the achievements of Lynch’s Creek dairy farmer Lesley McQueen & Lion’s Road resident Darren Rowe for their completion of over 80km – Walking Against Gas. The walk covered the proposed Metgasco CSG pipeline/gasfield route from Casino across picturesque farmland, waterways, rural towns & communities through Kyogle, Wiangaree, Lynchs Creek & onward to the NSW/QLD border on the Lions Rd at Gradys Creek.
Lesley chose this action to assist the ongoing campaign to bring awareness to the dangers that coal seam gas / gasfields / fracking pose to farmland, waterways, air, soil and the rural life faced by many communities faced by the proposed Metgasco CSG pipeline and gasfields.
“Day 2 of Walking Against Gas was a cracker of a day! Lesley, Darren & myself walked from Kyogle to Wiangaree and Lesley & Darren completed the walk to Lynchs Creek. From tooting horns, honking truckies, cheering, waving, gifts of cash donations, a kind word & cold beer – 2012 Walking Against Gas was a roaring success!” said Wanda Halden, one of the Walking Against Gas co ordinators and Kyogle G.A.G member.
“The walkers & suport crew all agreed the most memorable moment was when a chant sounded out over the valley from the children at Wiangaree Public School in support of Lesley’s efforts.”
“The final day of Walking Against Gas saw Lesley & Darren meet fellow QLD walker Linda Weston at the NSW/QLD border on the Lions Rd. A crowd of almost 100 supporters were out to cheer the walkers on. And it truly was a huge celebration as Gradys Creek residents shared their joy as the CSG survey results declared them a CSG/Gasfield free area!”
“2012 Walking Against Gas achieved much needed fundraising & public awareness about the threats that CSG & gasfields pose to rural Australia.”
“The community spirit was loud & proud. United we stand in our battle to remain rural, CSG & gasfield free in the Northern Rivers.”
Lesley stated that one of her biggest motivations to complete this massive journey was related to how mother’s in CSG areas managed their children’s health, “how sick the children are living near gas wells in Queensland are getting with constant headaches, rashes, nose and ear bleeds.”
“Fellow walker against gas Linda Weston continues the Walking Against Gas over the Qld border through Beaudesert and onwards to Ipswich, finishing the epic journey that started at Richmond River, Casino, by tipping the bottle of water Lesley collected on day 1 of the walk, into the Ipswich River at Swanbank Power Station on Thursday 16 August.” stated Wanda Halden.
“A huge thanks & heartfelt best wishes to Jhabel & Richard our safety vehicle support crew, all of our supporters, IT helpers, coffee makers, water bottle fillers, cheering children, farmers, pledge makers & family members! And last but not at all least, Ms Lesley McQueen for her guts & determination for turning her idea into a reality.