Hundreds knock on Metgasco's door
APPROXIMATELY 200 people rallied outside the Casino office of coal seam gas company Metgasco this morning, protesting against the ongoing seismic testing of potential gas deposits in the region.
Protestors of all ages gathered in the company's car park about 10am before being moved-on to another area by police who were present in large numbers.
The rally was peaceful though high-spirited with constant cheers and car horns. Police estimated the crowd at about 180 people and reported that there were no incidents.
Richmond Local Area Command duty officer, Inspector Matt Kehoe, revised the initial crowd estimate to about 180 and said protesters were well behaved and complied with police directions.
CSG-Free Northern Rivers' spokesperson Adam Guise, academic activist Aidan Ricketts and CSG-Free Communities campaign coordinator Anne Thompson spoke to the crowd.
"The rally was a broad social cross section of the community uniting to oppose CSG operations on the Northern Rivers," Mr Guise said.
"Here are groups with no political agenda, who adhere to non-violent action, letting Metgasco know it is not welcome in our region."
No Metgasco representatives met with the protestors or organisers.
Popular singer Luke Vassella performed a song before the rally finished about 11am.
