We followed the Warrego Hwy east through Morven, Mitchell, Roma and Miles to Chinchilla. We stopped for a break under a Coolabah Tree.
The impact of the Coal Seam Gas industry became more apparent especially after Roma. Four years ago the farmers fences were festooned with anti CSG slogans, but these have disappeared as the mighty petrochemical industry rolled into town. Backed by the State Government, the local community didn’t have a real say in what happened. The whole business is clouded in secrecy Daniel Prentice tells us, with landowners legally forbidden to discuss with other farmers what deals they have gotten from the developers. I snapped this gas well just outside of Miles. It has some sort of de-watering tower and what happens to the very salty waste water is one of the issues the industry is yet to face.
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| Prentice family in Chinchilla |
We arrived at the Prentices at about 3:30. Daniel, Joshua and Libby where out in the fields helping their Dad deal with their cows but we were greeted by Frances, Bethany and of course little Caleb. We played Pictionary after tea and Libby and Frances pipped the boys at the post.
It is still a bit nippy in the evenings so Daniel lit the fire in the “Shed”. It burned all night and kept us nice and warm.
We have had years of the shale gas industry here in Pennsylvania, and it only ends one way: with a lot of environmental damage. there are communities not too far from us where they can't drink water from their own wells . . .
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