Thousands shut down major Sydney street in protest of Narrabri Gas Project

Thousands of protesters brought Sydney to a standstill after taking to the streets to call on urgent state government action.

Sydney was brought to a standstill by thousands of climate protesters marching their way to NSW Parliament.

The CBD’s Macquarie Street was completely blocked off by up to 3000 activists on Thursday in an authorised protest against the Narrabri Gas Project – which aims to supply up to half of NSW’s gas needs by 2025.

Thousands of protesters brought Sydney to a standstill. Picture: Twitter

Protesters were calling on the state government to put an end to the Santos Coal Seam Gas plans for northwest NSW which has gained support from both the Coalition and Labor. Protesters argued the project would have a detrimental impact on the Pilliga Forest and groundwater.

The group made its way through the city after meeting at Customs House in Circular Quay at 11.30am, blocking all traffic to Macquarie Street in the process.

The protest was a product of collaboration between the Country Women’s Association, Unions NSW, NSW Farmers and Lock the Gate Alliance.

“It’s time for a united and powerful stand. Join us outside NSW Parliament in solidarity with Gomeroi people defending culture and farmers needing certainty for ongoing food production,” the protest’s event page read.

“Santos’ coal seam gas (CSG) plans for north-west NSW, including the proposed Narrabri Gas Project, are opposed by Gomeroi Traditional Owners, farmers, the union movement and civil society.

The gas project has been supported by both Labor and the Coalition. Picture: Nathan Edwards.

“There are significant concerns these plans will have a detrimental impact on the Pilliga Forest and groundwater as well as threatening highly productive agriculture on the Liverpool Plains.”

Lock the Gate Alliance NSW coordinator Nic Clyde told news.com.au the protesters wanted the state government “to act in the interests of ordinary people”.

“People from all walks of life in NSW are demanding the Minns Government take immediate action and stop Santos from destroying the Pilliga Forest and Liverpool Plains foodbowl,” he said.

“Santos should have been stopped in its polluting tracks long ago. But there has been a serious failure by NSW governments to act in the interests of ordinary people, rather than the short-sighted interests of billion dollar gas companies.

“We won’t give up until the Minns Government listens. The Minns Government must follow in the footsteps of Victoria and the ACT and embark on a sensible plan to phase out fossil gas, destroying demand for Santos’ dirty product and creating a cleaner climate for everyone.”

Gomeroi Custodian Suellyn Tighe hoped the protest would stop Santos from “destroying” the environment.

“We’re gathering to save the Pilliga and Liverpool Plains from the environmentally destructive fossil fuel company Santos. We have come from many walks of life to be here,” she said.

“We stand in solidarity. It is with this collective fortitude we demand the state and federal governments stop extraction, consumption and selling of fossil fuels and with all haste transition to green and renewable energy.”

Santos, the gas company behind the Narrabri Gas Project, previously called on the Minns Government to fast track the $3.5b project to avoid imminent energy inadequacies and supply up to half of NSW’s gas requirements by 2025.

Both the Coalition and Labor thrust support behind the project, but it has been affected by delays, including with the Hunter Gas Pipeline which would connect the Narrabri project to the market.

Getting off to a rally good start here today in Sydney. #stopCSG#water#land#liverpoolplains#narrabripic.twitter.com/fOGQN3vFQL

— Watershed AllianceAU (@watershedallyAU) September 14, 2023

Premier Chris Minns has yet to announce whether he would fast track the project, however it was reported in March he expressed support to Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher before being elected.

Santos in December defended itself against questions regarding the impact the project would have on the environment and the land it planned to use in its construction, which has rich Aboriginal history.

The company claimed it was doing necessary consultation with Traditional Owners to conserve the land as best it could.

“Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development in a range of ways, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of their cultural heritage protection and management,” Santos said in a statement.

“Santos has a strong track record of working collaboratively with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally.

“The company has a range of cultural heritage and native title agreements in place with 23 Traditional Owner Groups and six Aboriginal Land Councils around Australia.

Santos has been consulting and working with the Gomeroi people since 2012, and in formal negotiations regarding the Narrabri Gas Project since 2015.

“Narrabri natural gas is essential to ensure Australia’s energy transition to renewables and cleaner energy technologies maintains both energy security and affordability for all Australians over the coming decades.”