LIMESTONE Coast police stepped up their presence at Beach Energy’s new conventional drilling site yesterday amid concerns protesters would again try to block trucks entering into the site.
It is understood 16 police officers flanked five trucks carrying heavy drilling equipment with protesters being warned they would be arrested if they stepped onto the rubble.
This follows police pushing protesters out of the way of over-sized heavy vehicles on Wednesday and repeated warnings they could be arrested if they breached the law.
Given the threat of potential charges, protesters yesterday followed instructions by police and instead decided to burst into song to show their opposition to the $12m Haselgrove-3 project south of Penola.
It is understood police also blocked cars owned by the protesters when the massive trucks arrived.
Limestone Coast officer-in-charge Superintendent Grant Moyle confirmed there was a large police presence at the site yesterday.
“With such big trucks coming into the site, we wanted to ensure the safety of people,” Supt Moyle said.
But he said he was pleased with the behaviour of the protesters yesterday with no incidents being reported.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance member Sue Westgarth said they were exercising their right to protest.
“It was proof the industry is forcing its way into a rural community over the head of local opposition,” Ms Westgarth said.
She said the main rig arrived on the truck yesterday and other heavy vehicles had been entering the site over the past week.
“The police blocked our cars that were parked on the road when the trucks arrived – I think they were concerned we might do something with our vehicles,” Ms Westgarth said.
“It was a peaceful protest to send a clear message to Beach Energy and the State Government these activities are not wanted in the Limestone Coast.”
Alliance chair Merilyn Paxton – who was first at the site yesterday – said she was stunned to see so many police and security cars at the site.
“Given there were 16 police and only eight protesters, we had no chance of stopping the trucks,” Ms Paxton said.
She claimed police told them they were not allowed “off the dirt” and they had to stay in the roadside scrub at all times.
“We were told if we went in front of the trucks, we would be arrested,” she said.
“There is no point trying to wrestle with police.”
Ms Paxton said police flanked the trucks on either side as they entered the road into the Beach Energy site.
“The trucks came one by one – they were so big and noisy,” she said.
Beach Energy regional manager Glenn Toogood said the safety of its workers, general road users and staff was paramount.
While the company respected the right of people to protest, he said the company should be allowed to undertake its day-to-day legal activities.
He said the company worked closely with SA Police to ensure the safety of everybody, which included traffic control.
“A lot of planning has gone into getting this equipment to the site from the Cooper Basin – we didn’t want to see any increased risk to road users,” he said.
