This slideshow presentation was developed by Florence Treverrow as part of a project for Integrated Human Studies.

A case study asks why and how questions. Why did this group form?

Photo of one of the valleys in the Northern Rivers Regions - looking toward the World Heritage listed Border Ranges National Park

Residents in the Lismore area were first alerted when Arrow Energy did a test well at Keerrong.

This photo is taken at Glenugie, near Grafton.
Photo care of CSG Free Northern Rivers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8656500063/in/set-72157...

Concerned landowners in the Western Downs of Qld contacted Drew Hutton, to help with the problems of gas exploration and drilling. An alliance of farmers, environmentalists and others resulted in the Lock the Gate Alliance.

Photo courtesy Lock the Gate:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152394223062445&set=o.11266340879...

This photo was taken at the Channon.
Courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers
https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8618166307/in/set-72157...

then communities to sign up to be gasfield free as a symbolic gesture of opposition.

Protestors falls - the site of a successful protest in the 1970's to prevent logging in the what is now the Nightcap Range National Park.

The Mayor of Lismore, Jenny Dowell, received the pledges.
The video of this event became the inspirational story for other communities seeking to replicate the strategy.
The birth of CSG free communities can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bvx-0DyNsw

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8618170533/in/set-72157...

This photo courtesy Gasfieldfree Northern Rivers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8633224893/

Metgasco had been active in the Richmond Valley for a number of years but to start with residents thought it might be good for the region. Due to mounting opposition other gas companies had left the area by 2012.
In April 2012 a man chained himself to a bulldozer building a toxic waste pond at Shannon Brook, near Casino.

Photo courtesy Gasfieldfree Northern Rivers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8676057333/in/set-72157...

This is the protest at Glenugie, near Grafton, in the Coldstream wetlands. It was conducted over three months and broken up by police to allow Metgasco to drill.

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8579212594/in/set-72157...

Doubtful Creek is near Kyogle.

In March 2013 the NSW Government introduced more environmental legislation.

Rosella well, Bentley was to be just up the road from where this protest was held in April 2013.

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8634329318/in/set-72157...

Metgasco said the wells they intended to drill were for conventional gas in tight sands. In response the group changed their name.

Early photo of Camp Liberty.

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/13787073855/

Aerial photo of Camp Liberty.

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/13907060744/in/set-7215...

Sunset at gate A looking toward Gate C and Naughtons Gap Road turnoff.

Photo courtesy Gasfield Free Northern Rivers:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/csgfreenorthernrivers/8634331362/

Screen capture of Gasfield Free Northern Rivers website: http://csgfreenorthernrivers.org/

Photos taken at Camp Liberty: Camp guidelines and NVDA.

Early morning from Gate B looking back toward Camp Liberty. The road leads to Lismore.