Community outrage over comments made by Augusta Margaret River Shire President Ian Earl in relation to the gas industry within the South West has led Mr Earl to clarify comments made to the media.
Mr Earl, who is currently in Hong Kong as part of a delegation of Shire representatives visiting key Asian locations to strengthen tourism and trade ties, spoke to the Mail to clarify the comments made as part of an interview with the ABC last week.
“I am not for or against fracking, but as the science and geology tells us, it’s not going to happen in our Shire and I’m not going to get concerned about it,” Mr Earl said.
“There are lots of more important issues to worry about and spend our energy rectifying.”
“Concerned residents should listen to Bernie Masters and Peter Lane who have been great, serious conservationists longer than most.”
Social media groups erupted over the weekend as the story was shared countless times across the community, with many expressing concern over the message the Shire was sending.
Margaret River Gasfield Free South West group spokesperson Lisa Phillips said reassurances were not enough for people receiving conflicting information about their water supplies.
“Despite the constant reassurances by [Mr Earl] that there are no gas production projects planned for the Southwest, recent interviews given by Mr Earl would suggest otherwise,” Ms Phillips said.
“The public declaration by Mr Earl, stating the gas industry is welcome in the region, would suggest the Gasfield Free Southwest WA campaign was not misleading South West communities after all.
“Unfortunately when making this public declaration Mr Earl forgot to consult with the local residents who live in this region and if the responses on social media to Mr Earl’s statements, is any kind of an indicator, it would appear his comments do not reflect the wider community’s stance on the gas industry in the region.”
Mr Earl said the council welcomed involvement from anti-fracking groups but a planned briefing had only been attended by two people, and that the Shire had proven in the past that conservation and protection of the region was a high priority.
“The Shire was also strongly supportive of the no-coal campaign a couple of years ago, which was a far greater threat to the region at the time,” he said.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
