PROTESTERS continued to show defiance against the production of gas at Beach Energy’s Haselgrove-3 gas well with a gathering at the site entrance on Wednesday night.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance co-chair Brett Mashado said the group of more than 35 people gathered to reiterate their feelings towards gas fields in the region.
“We do not want to see the expansion of gas fields across the South East, we want to see it stopped now,” Mr Mashado said.
“These people are here because they feel they have not been listened to and the government is continuing to not listen.”
He said with the looming state election, the concerned community members wanted to make their message clear.
“It was a last minute call to action and these people have come out in their time off in an effort to make their voices heard – we will stop when it stops,” he said.
“We are concerned about the threat of water pollution and depletion, air pollution from gas emissions, health risks, noise pollution and the damage to the South East’s reputation as a clean and green producer of food and wine.”
He called all state election candidates to commit to a ban on all gas exploration and development in the Limestone Coast and Otway Basin.
The protest comes as flaring continues at the site south of Penola.
Flaring began on Saturday as the energy company tests whether there is commercial potential after drilling for gas in the area.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance member Merilyn Paxton said the flares sparked concern with many community members.
“When the community saw this flaring they were horrified and it has just strengthened the conviction in the South East that we do not want any forms of gas fields at all,” Ms Paxton said.
Conservation Council of SA chief executive Craig Wilkins said there were better options in South Australia “than turning our food bowl and natural spaces into industrial gasfields”.
“With an abundance of exciting renewable energy options, we do not need to risk our state’s clean marketing edge, our water supplies, and our health,” he said.
