KNITTING Nannas Against Gas activists and supporters from the Dubbo district have taken part in a nationwide protest against Commonwealth Bank investments in fossil fuel projects in a world heritage area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The action was part of 350.org's Raise the Heat Campaign urging the bank to distance itself from coal mining in Queensland's Galilee Basin and the Abbot Point coal port expansion located near the Great Barrier Reef.
The protesters held signs outside the bank's Macquarie Street branch recently, put photographs on social media platform Facebook and urged people to post comments.
Protest participant Margaret McDonald said the message was simple.
"Continued funding of fossil fuels is not acceptable," she said.
"The protest campaign comes at a time of dangerous climate change when scientists are warning that all fossil fuels must remain in the ground to arrest further damage to the planet.
"The Commonwealth Bank has refused to rule out the possibility of funding Galilee Coal at Abbot Point where pollution to the already threatened world heritage Great Barrier Reef is likely to have irreversibly dire consequences."
Mrs McDonald said two Narromine and six Dubbo protesters held up 350.org signs which expressed concerns to CommBank.
They ranged from a cry for more personal responsibility, a desire for a better future for children and grandchildren, to pleas to save the Great Barrier Reef.
A CommBank spokesman said the bank recognised it had a role in addressing the challenge of climate change, including helping organisations to transition to a low-carbon economy and investing in renewable energy.
The spokesman said the bank had invested in more than 170 renewable energy projects in the wind, solar, hydro and landfill gas power sectors.
Mrs McDonald is a member of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas group that protests peacefully at Dubbo's Church Street rotunda every Wednesday morning.
"There have been worrying outcomes at various coal seam gas sites this year concerning the environmental monitoring of water," she said.
"(Mining company) Santos has publicly stated that once oil and gas prices recover it will apply for a production licence in the Pilliga forest, then apply for exploration licences over gasfields in Tooraweenah and our Goonoo forest."
Mrs McDonald said protesters had been told processes were in place to monitor CSG.
"But how can you see what is happening under the ground," she said.
"It is too late to stop problems once gas is bubbling up through waterways or livestock have been contaminated by waste from gas mining.
"Some of our Knitting Nannas are local farmers with a personal interest in coal seam gas.
"Most of us are interested in the bigger picture and don't want any fossil fuels.
"We believe Australia needs to move ahead with renewable energy."
