Communities seeking to preserve their “patches” from coal mining and/or coal seam gas development will gather at the intersection of Martin Place and Macquarie Street before moving to Hyde Park where they will be addressed by invited speakers.

This rally has the full support of both the Barrington Gloucester Stroud Preservation Alliance and Gloucester Residents In Partnership (GRIP).

An Alliance spokesperson said “This is an extremely important event. Coal and coal seam gas mining are expanding at an unprecedented rate threatening our farmland, our climate, our communities and our water. Only a change of political will can slow the relentless march of mineral resource exploitation and bring some balance back to the question of land use and resource development. The only thing that will effect political change is a significant demonstration from the people demanding this change.”

A bus has been organised for Gloucester residents, leaving at 7am and returning at approximately 8pm, at a subsidised cost of $10 per person. Telephone 6558 3052 or email gripmembership@skymesh.com.au to reserve a seat.

The spokesperson said, “Farmers, concerned citizens and environmentalists from across NSW will be uniting to protect our irreplaceable farmland and environment. If you can participate in only one activity to protect your children’s future, please make it this one. Let’s aim to have five busloads from Gloucester join the rally.”

“We have a golden opportunity to effect political change. The Government has implemented a process which seeks input from the community for the development of a strategy to address land use, health and environmental issues associated with coal and coal seam gas development. The Opposition has announced a policy which goes some way to addressing communities’ concerns about competing land use demands. The National Farmers Association has been actively lobbying both sides of politics and calling for significant change. This election, demand that politicians put communities ahead of mining profits, food before coal and water before gas.”