LIMESTONE Coast residents sent a clear message to motorists over the weekend as they lined the region’s highways to demand the protection of water resources from gas mining.
Yellow Lock the Gate signs and homemade banners dotted the landscape as activists from Millicent and surrounding districts took to the Princes Highway on Saturday for the nation’s biggest roadside demonstration.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance member Fiona Dearman said activists reported an overwhelming display of support from passing motorists.
“The interest was great this year, we had people flat out tooting and waving up and down the road,” she said.
“We double the amount of Rocky Camp residents on site this year which was really great to see.
“People are big supporters of protecting our water resources and I think it’s just a matter of time before more people start to get on board.”
Ms Dearman said the demonstrations was timely ahead of next month’s expected drilling of Beach Energy’s Haselgrove-3 exploratory well.
Although Beach have stated Haselgrove-3 will not be fracture stimulated, Ms Dearman said it was imperative to keep the pressure on both governments and the oil and gas industry.
“It’s important to create awareness of what’s happening in the South East because there is a risk to our water,” she said.
“Our water provides the food and the wine and everything else that goes on people’s tables and without it, we have nothing.
“We have to get this country aware and understand what’s happening, because it’s happening faster than people are aware of.
“There’s no point being complacent and complaining when they’re fracking, we have a chance to protest now and we have no one else to blame if we don’t.”
Protesters were situated at highways across the entire Limestone Coast, with activists located in Tantanoola, Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Penola.
Now in its third year, the 2017 event included more than 30 groups across Australia’s six states and two territories cover more than 5800km of highways.
