A decade on from the Kerry Blockade of 2012, people who protested CSG exploration in the Scenic Rim remain quietly watchful despite there being no current activity in the region.
For 10 days in early 2012, under the banner Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic, locals and supporters blockaded the site on Nindooinbah Estate Road near Kerry in a heartfelt, around the clock protest.
The local activism movement had been building since 2010, when a coal mining interest at Barney View and Maroon was brought to light by local journalist, the late Gary Corbett.
At the Kerry Blockade, 14 arrests were made including of Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic spokesperson Innes Larkin and his wife Tracey.
Innes said the memory was forever etched in his mind.
“To have a region coal and gas free, there are probably parts of Australia which would love that, and in the Scenic Rim we achieved it,” he said.
He said he would do it again in a heartbeat and the group, while not currently vocal, remained vigilant.
“Until all gas licences in this region are rescinded, we are just one decision away from being back into that fight, however our community stood strong, and it would take a massive effort by a gas company to even consider coming in here.
“I know all of those people are as firm now as they were 10 years ago – it was an enormous team of people, like Heidi Ross, Tracey (wife and business partner), Steven Ross and Mike and Sal Undery.”
In response to a media enquiry from the Beaudesert Bulletin regarding its activities and plans in the Scenic Rim, Arrow Energy provided a statement from a spokesperson.
“Arrow Energy retains two Authorities to Prospect (ATPs) in the Clarence Moreton Basin (Scenic Rim) – 644 and 641,” the statement read.
“In 2015, Arrow undertook a program of rehabilitation on previous appraisal sites. There has been no activity since that was completed.
“Arrow has no plans to develop these areas at this time.”
