A GLOUCESTER man has been arrested and three others have been issued with court attendance notices for trespass after a protest on Fairbairns Lane.
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Brett Jacobs, 50, was arrested by police early yesterday morning after locking himself to the gate of a property AGL is using to access its test drilling site where it plans to frack for coal seam gas.
Three other protesters, a man and two women, were issued with court attendance notices by police after allegedly going to the aid of Mr Jacobs when he was detained by security hired by AGL.
Between 20 and 25 protesters arrived at the Fairbairns Lane site about 6am on Tuesday after AGL announced on Monday it would start fracking four wells as part of its Waukivory Pilot Project this week.
Hillview Herb Farm owner and member of Groundswell Gloucester Karen O’Brien said when Mr Jacobs saw workers in red suits enter the property from another point he decided to unlock himself and climb over the gate.
"When we saw they had come through the other entrance, Brett was so distraught about it he decided to unlock himself and try to walk in," Ms O’Brien said.
"He climbed over the gate and walked past three security guards as fellow protesters called, 'leave him alone, he is a father of seven and he is trying to do a peaceful protest'.
"Half way down another group of security guards came and they crash tackled him, very very violently. It wasn't a pretty sight."
Mr Jacobs, who suffers from a heart condition, was removed from the Fairbairns Lane site by police but was later released and taken to hospital for assessment before being given the all clear.
He and the three other protesters are expected to face court in December.
A Groundswell Gloucester member said protest activity at the Fairbairns Lane site had concluded for the day with protesters instead gathering at their vigil site across from the golf course.
A police spokesman said three police officers had been on site at the protest this morning, while another three arrived in Gloucester soon after.
Specialised fracking equipment arrived on AGL's exploration site south of Gloucester early on Monday morning.
A large contingent of police vehicles accompanied the equipment to the site at Forbesdale, arriving before 5am.
“The decision to move the equipment early was made on direction from NSW Police,” an AGL spokeswoman said.
“The hydraulic fracturing equipment was transported on trucks and the early morning deployment was chosen as there is minimal traffic, very few if any pedestrians and no school bus movements.
“The safety of our employees, contractors and the community is paramount, and we will continue to work closely with the local community and NSW Police to ensure that traffic movements are managed appropriately.”
Mr Jacobs this morning (Tuesday) locked himself on to the access gate at the site where AGL hopes to begin fracking any day.
"AGL has a battle on its hands if it thinks it can turn our valley into a coal seam gas field. This is our home and we are not giving up or going away," Mr Jacobs said before his arrest.
"This fracking was approved by the NSW government under laws and regulations that the chief scientist has said need a complete overhaul.
"If Minister Roberts ignores the chief scientist by allowing AGL to commence fracking it would be an act of supreme recklessness showing utter contempt and disregard for Gloucester residents.
"We are calling on Minister Roberts to do the right thing by Gloucester and invoke an immediate suspension of all coal seam gas operations at Gloucester until the chief scientist's recommendations are implemented."
AGL said it had met all State government requirements to frack the four test wells as part of its Waukivory Pilot Project.
"The community has been directly involved with and informed of AGL's plans in the area since 2011, particularly our plans to fracture stimulate the Waukivory pilot wells that were drilled over two years ago," a spokeswoman said.
"Over the past 12 months, 28 separate community engagement activities have been conducted on the project including updates in local papers, site tours, information sessions and community meetings.
"The Waukivory Pilot follows years of detailed approvals, including approval from the Office of Coal Seam Gas, Environment Protection Authority and Office of Water.
"The Gloucester stage one project approval - approved by the independent NSW Planning Assessment Commission in 2011 and upheld by the Land and Environment Court in 2012 - allows AGL to fracture stimulate and produce gas from 110 wells at Gloucester.
"Fracture stimulation has been occurring safely in Australia for over 40 years, including 12 wells at Gloucester and 117 at Camden with no impact or harm caused to the community or the environment."
AGL last week released its construction noise management plan for the Waukivory Pilot, which will see four test wells in the Forbesdale area hydraulically fracked.
The company said all construction activity would be below the ‘highly affected’ criteria set by the State government for construction noise.
The Environmental Protection Authority sets out two noise categories - noise affected (background plus 10 decibels) and highly affected (above 75 decibels) - each with noise mitigation measures.
AGL said acoustics specialists EMM, which conducted the noise analysis, found construction activities like under boring, hydraulic fracturing and site preparation would generate noise levels between 30 and 71 decibels.
“By comparison, internal noise in a classroom, place of worship and hospital ward is about 45 decibels and active recreation areas around 65 decibels, the company’s head of environment Jenny MacMahon said.
“During construction for the Waukivory Pilot, AGL is using a range of noise mitigation measures, such as sound walls, to lower the noise impact to neighbouring properties.” said
“Some of the construction noise will be intermittent and all construction noise will be restricted to between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.”
Hillview Herb Farm owner Karen O'Brien, who lives at the intersection of Fairbairns Lane and the Bucketts Way, said her business was being put at risk by AGL's operations.
"Coal seam gas is not safe and AGL's plans to industrialise Gloucester with hundreds of gas wells puts at risk our beef, dairy and horticulture industries," she said.
"Gloucester is a tourism hotspot and the visitor economy generates $44 million annually. Thousands of people flock to enjoy the beauty of our region each year but who wants to holiday in a gasfield?"
Dr Steve Robinson, an outspoken opponent of AGL’s operations in the Gloucester valley, urged people to be prepared for the start of the fracking.
“I have prepared a list of five actions to do before fracking starts, particularly if you live in the 2km impact zone,” he said.
Dr Robinson’s five actions are: get a blood test; start a health diary for yourself and your animals; check the pH of your domestic tank water or in your rain gauge and monitor it weekly; get your sleep quality measured; and photographically record the quality of your house including any cracks.
Groundswell Gloucester has urged protesters to come to Gloucester to oppose the start of fracking.
Construction work has commenced on the site of the proposed Gloucester Protection Camp on Jacks Rd.
Council approved Groundswell Gloucester’s development application to establish a temporary camp for up to 200 protesters at its September meeting.
“Protectors are needed,” a post on the group’s Facebook page said.
“Protectors are invited to come and we are working hard to get our camp going but it isn't open yet. Suggested accommodation is the Gloucester Holiday Park.”
AGL’s complaint line for the Waukivory Pilot is 1300 799 716.