Around 200 people gathered yesterday at Sydney’s Martin Place, Gadigal, to protest against the drilling of up to 850 coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga forest on Gomeroi-Gamilaraay land in north-western New South Wales.
The wells will be drilled directly above the Great Artesian Basin, the largest artesian basin in the world and the largest fresh water supply in Australia.
The massive gas project was recently approved by the Federal Government and will be drilled by gas giant, Santos.
Traditional owners, the Gomeroi-Gamilaraay people, oppose the project, fearing cultural and environmental devastation, the destruction of sacred sites and the poisoning of the water table. Environmentalists and farmers also have grave concerns for the impact of the gas field.
Yesterday’s rally marched through the city to Sydney Town Hall where speeches were made. The protest was organised by Gamilaraay Next Generation and was part of a nationwide action, ‘Gamil Means No’.
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