Greens deny electric protest stunt

FORMER Lismore Greens candidate Sue Stock has denied her party was involved in a potentially deadly stunt where protestors hung anti-coal seam gas banners from live power lines around Kyogle.

Essential Energy Far North Coast regional manager Richard Wake branded the stunt ‘stupid’, saying the protestors could have been killed.

The protestors hung four banners, which bore Greens party logos, from 11,000 volt lines, 240 volt lines and power pole cross beams in locations around Kyogle some time on Thursday night.

A spokesman for Essential Energy said the protestors would have needed equipment to get high enough to hang the banners. The matter had been reported to police.

“There is a good reason why we ask people not to place signage or banners on our poles, powerlines or near specialised equipment,” Mr Wake said.

“Low voltage electricity can kill just as easily as high voltage. We sincerely hope this never occurs again. The stupidity of this behaviour beggars belief.”

Ms Stock echoed Mr Wake’s concerns and said no Greens party member would have attempted the stunt.

The banners found dangling from the power lines were identical to ones sold through Greens campaign offices during last month’s State election.

“It’s absolutely crazy that it should go that far, to do that sort of thing,” she said.

“Obviously there’s a lot of passion.”

Ms Stock blamed “secrecy” around coal seam gas drilling for intensifying community frustration on the issue.

“If it was a situation where they had to put a development application to the council, then all the information would be there and people could have their say as well,” she said.

“It’s the biggest issue that’s hit this area for quite a few decades.”