AUDIENCE members lingered in the foyer at the Oatmill Cinema Complex on Wednesday night following the premiere of Pipe Dreams Fractured Lives.
Many in the crowd appeared eager to support the Limestone Coast Protection Alliance and its “lock the gate” campaign – a number of people purchased signs or made cash donations to the cause – while others discussed the film with long-term campaigners.
Ian Black, a dairy farmer from Eight Mile Creek, said the documentary opened his eyes to the “empty promises” made by gas companies.
“I believe everyone in the South East should see this film,” Mr Black said.
“You can’t trust gas companies – you can’t believe a word they say.
“There are just so many unknowns associated with it and countless places world-wide where it has proven disastrous for land owners and communities that have embraced unconventional gas fracking.”
Marcia Lorenz of Beachport urged locals to educate themselves about both conventional and unconventional gas extraction.
“I thought it was a brilliant documentary and I want everyone to see it,” she said.
“A lot of people are unaware that conventional gas extraction is also a hazard – we desperately want to ban fracking because that is a bigger hazard, but conventional gas mining can be a foothold for companies to expand into unconventional extraction.
“There are the same dangers associated with conventional extraction as with fracking – it is not necessarily a safe option.”
Sue Westgarth said she started researching both conventional and unconventional gas extraction “about five years ago”.
“There are negative impacts associated with both types of gas extraction,” Ms Westgarth said.
“I had the opportunity to travel through Darling Downs with a landholder and I saw with my own eyes that the gas fields have turned the landscape into an industrial zone.
“It has destroyed people’s lives and livelihoods and the increase of suicides in that region is frightening.
“It is time for all of us to stand up and be heard because people power can make a difference – there are cheaper and safer energy options than gas.”
