Lock your gates on the Capes!
Cath Miller is a Kaloorup landowner who opposes coal seam gas fracking in the Capes region and member of
Save Our Southwest.
The Cape to Cape Community in the Southwest of WA is concerned about proposed coal and coal seam gas operations on the Vasse Coal Shelf that slices through the whole region from Dunsborough and Busselton down to Augusta. The coal that is attracting interstate and foreign miners is between 160m and 500m underground in the Sue aquifer and miners would have to drill through the Leederville aquifer and into the Sue aquifer. Mine dewatering and contamination issues pose huge risks to our surface and groundwater assets, like bores, farm dams, soaks, streams and standing pools.
Now, the objectors to Western Coal exploration license E70/4079 have been summoned to the Warden's Court for a "mention hearing" on the 29-9-11 at 11am.
Up to 80 individuals and organisations have been advised that they have to attend so the warden from the Busselton Courthouse can speak to them as a group. People will have to take a day off from work for this initial hearing where "the Warden may give directions to the parties, set a hearing date or adjourn to a further mention hearing."
Understandably this is causing some angst among the good citizens of the region who have no experience of court matters. Some responses include:
"I don’t know what to expect, never having been to one before, and, to be honest, I am apprehensive, being an ordinary citizen, who doesn’t happen to have a law degree, has very little free time, and with no experience relating to these matters. It’s also difficult for me as I work and it will mean taking time off – which also costs me money."
"It is difficult for every single one of us - we all have busy lives and commitments and we are not lawyers and public speakers. This added stress and intimidation is the last thing that we need in our lives."
We have contacted the Warden's office and it has been stressed how important it is that all those who have received the notification turn up for this hearing. The main purpose of this "mention" is for the Warden to explain the process to us. We don't have to prepare anything and we don't have to speak, just be there with a pen and paper. The only speakers will be the Warden, who will explain the process and Western Coal, and the proponent. It has been mentioned that the AMR Shire and DEC may speak, but this is not confirmed. It will not last longer than two hours, probably even less as the Court room has only been booked for two hours.
A number of people who can't come due to work commitments in Perth etc. have had to nominate proxies or agents.
A huge turnout on the day will send a very loud and very clear message that we are serious about protecting our area. We would just like the large number of "ordinary citizens" to speak for itself - how we have to have put our lives and jobs on hold to deal with a ridiculously burdensome process that should never be foisted onto communities.
We are dairy farmers, beef farmers, goat farmers, avocado growers, wine makers, grape growers, earthmoving contactors, teachers, FIFO workers, hospitality workers, potato growers, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.
We are everyone who lives in the Capes who depend on groundwater for our future.
