THE Gloucester carpenter arrested for trespass at AGL’s test drilling site on Fairbairns Lane on Tuesday said he believed his actions were peaceful and that he will continue to protest against the company's activities locally.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brett Jacobs climbed a fence and walked onto property where AGL plans to frack for coal seam gas before being detained by security staff.
The 50-year-old said he was trying to prevent any preparations for fracking at the site from taking place.
He had earlier used a bike lock to chain himself to a gate accessing the property but decided to jump the fence when he saw workers entering the property.
“They started taking workers in - the first few went over the gate and then they started taking others in from another entrance,” Mr Jacobs said.
“We’d been made aware that if someone was on site that they wouldn’t be able to do any work - I understood I might be charged with trespass.”
Mr Jacobs said he was about 80m to 100m from the fence when he was approached by security personnel.
“But I had my fingers in my ears so I couldn’t hear what they were saying,” he said.
Other security personnel arrived and detained Mr Jacobs.
“I can’t remember whether I was tackled - I was manhandled,” he said.
“I’ve got a heart condition and started feeling some discomfort so I signalled one of the Knitting Nannas that I needed help which is when the other three people came over the fence.”
Mr Jacobs said he was then taken away in a police vehicle and issued with a summons to face a charge of trespass in the Local Court in December.
Three others, a man and two women, were also issued with future court attendance notices for trespass.
In a statement, AGL said its security staff had acted appropriately in dealing with Mr Jacobs and the three other protesters that jumped the fence.
“(On Tuesday) morning four protesters climbed the perimeter fence of AGL’s Waukivory Pilot site near Gloucester and attempted to reach project equipment on private property," a spokeswoman said.
"AGL’s security staff followed protocols, stopping the protesters from getting near our equipment after advising them that they were trespassing. The NSW Police attended.
"AGL will continue to balance legitimate protest activity with safety and security issues relating to our approved activities.
"We understand people have strong opinions when it comes to coal seam gas, and respect the right of opponents to lawfully protest.”
Mr Jacobs said, following his arrest, police had called an ambulance concerned about his heart condition but he had been given the all clear once checked over by paramedics.
He described himself as a “paper member” of Groundswell Gloucester but said his involvement in protesting against AGL and its operations began only three months or so ago.
“I got sick of the State government saying time after time that Gloucester was different to everywhere else in NSW,” he said.
“We’ve tried the political route, none of them care. The onus isn’t on AGL to prove that coal seam gas is safe, it’s on us to prove that fracking will make you sick and it shouldn’t be that way.”
Mr Jacobs said his actions at the protest on Tuesday morning had been peaceful and that he believed in “direct and peaceful protest action”.
He said his decision to both lock himself to the gate then trespass on the property had not been sanctioned or organised by any group and was his alone.
Mr Jacobs also said he would not be deterred from future protest activity.
The response to Mr Jacobs’ actions has been varied.
“I don’t care how many kids or what ailments this twit has got! You trespass, or prevent any person going about his or her job, and restrict them from earning a day’s pay, then you lot deserve to be charged and locked up for all crimes committed, end of bloody story. Get out of the way and protest, but don’t you god damn prevent any person going about their job!” Phil Latham posted on the Advocate’s Facebook page.
Steve Hirst commented “Great work Brett. Your courage and conviction is highly admirable”.
Merilyn Relf was less supportive: “Is this supposed to make him look like a hero? Well sorry, doesn't do it for me,” she posted.
But Paula Bradley felt differently: “At least he cares and is obviously educated in the dangers that face that beautiful area. Even with so called best practice companies take short cuts,” she commented.
