DESCRIPTION:
In 2013 concerned citizens of the Northern Rivers peacefully blockaded gas mining company Metgasco on two occasions, firstly at Glenugie near Grafton, then at Doubtful Creek near Kyogle. On both occasions drilling was able to go ahead because the community blockades were forcibly broken at taxpayer's expense by the NSW Police.

In 2014 Metgasco again had plans to drill, and attempted to circumvent public protests by claiming that the Rosella well at Bentley was a 'conventional gas' well, not a 'coal seam gas' well. The public was not fooled, as it became clear that the Rosella well would also target tight sands gas, which would require unconventional techniques (fracking) to get the gas flowing. Community members began blocking access to the Rosella site in February 2014, some time before the work to prepare the site for drilling was due to begin in March.

The Bentley Blockade was an incredible phenomena which unified previously disparate sectors of the community such as farmers, environmentalists, retirees, hippies, young people, and community members from all walks of life. The intensity of local opposition to plans to transform our beautiful agricultural and tourist paradise into industrial toxic wastelands was such that a blockade camp (Camp Liberty) was established on land neighbouring the proposed drilling site. This provided a safe place for hundreds of people to camp and easily access the blockade.

The camp and the blockade itself were run 24/7 by volunteers from the community. Rostered duties included volunteering as a 'Simmo' (someone prepared to 'lock on' at one of the gates to the property, thus placing themselves in an arrestable position), others acted as companions of the Simmos, some worked in the camp kitchen or directing traffic at the entrance to the camp, others worked on vigils keeping an eye on each of the three gates (A, B & C) to the drilling site, or any of dozens of other jobs that needed doing to keep the camp & blockade running effectively. There was little shortage of volunteers for these tasks, even the less glamorous ones such as cleaning out the port-a-loos. Everyone pitched in and helped in any way they could.

A tradition was established to 'Greet the Dawn' with as many people as possible assembled at Gate A at first light, as this was the time of day when police were expected to make a move to attempt to clear the blockade. On one such morning, 14 April 2014, some 3,000 people showed up to support the blockade, an unprecedented turnout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtuQL4ZBWe0

As the blockade stretched into May 2014, rumours circulated that accommodation for around 900 police from around NSW had been booked to take part in what was dubbed 'Operation Stapler', a plan to dismantle the peaceful blockade. Everyone was bracing for the impact of the police operation, which was scheduled for Monday 19 May. Fortunately for all concerned (including the police, who did not really want to be used as an anti-democratic sledgehammer), the NSW Government realised that the blockade was too strong: it wasn't going to be dispersed and dismantled without serious repercussions, including the likelihood of injury or fatality among members of the public.

Therefore on 15 May 2014 the NSW Government announced the suspension of Metgasco's drilling license due to inadequate community consultation, and additionally referred the company to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for investigation. A case for compensation is currently before the court awaiting deliberation, in which Metgasco claim their license was suspended unfairly. Apparently they believe a business model in which they can't operate without consuming millions of taxpayer dollars in police resources is workable.

The people of the Northern Rivers were victorious at Bentley, and it has only strengthened our resolve protect our beautiful region. On 1 November 2014 many thousands of people marched in Lismore to demand that the current Petroleum Exploration Licenses in the region be cancelled, and to declare that the Northern Rivers is indeed, and ever shall be, Gasfield Free - protected by community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGDJ0H0VLlo

For more info see http://csgfreenorthernrivers.org/

Sounds: 'We All Know' by Davey Bob Ramsey, helped out by those at Gate A for the final Greet the Dawn of the the Bentley Blockade, 20 May 2014. The lyrics were written on 14 May 2014, the day before the drilling suspension was announced.

Thanks to Gasfield Free Byron Shire for the audio
http://www.gasfieldfreebyronshire.org/video/songs/songs/

Video & stills: shot by Davey Bob at the Bentley Blockade, March-May 2014, except the first still image (showing Gate A), shot by Kudra Falla-Ricketts on 2 April 2014.