By PETER DOUGLAS
THE click-clacking of knitting needles isn’t what one would expect to hear at a protest.
But Knitting Nannas Against Gas members used the popular pastime as a form of peaceful protest last week outside the office of Monbulk MP James Merlino.
More than one dozen protesters voiced their opinions on Thursday 21 July in Belgrave’s main street along with grandmothers from Seaspray in Gippsland to urge Mr Merlino to support a ban on onshore gas mining in Victoria.
The group said Victorian communities have been asking for a ban for the past five years with 73 Victorian communities opting to ‘lock their gates’ to the industry.
They said, on average, 95 per cent of people surveyed in these communities wanted a ban on unconventional gas mining.
At the Belgrave protest, group members surveyed 123 community members.
The group said more than 96 per cent of people polled supported a permanent ban while the rest either needed more information or supported other forms of stricter regulation.
Spokesperson Di Flint from Seaspray said her community was at risk and implored the hills community to get behind the cause.
“We came to Belgrave to protect our homes, our communities and farming businesses from the threat of onshore gas,” she said.
“We know the gasfields can’t exist alongside farming and tourism.
“Only a ban on onshore gas will protect our water and the future of our community.
“It’s fantastic to see so many local people in the hills supporting communities like ours in Gippsland and Victoria.
Spokesperson Merlin Brown said Mr Merlino needed to be made aware that people in his electorate are against onshore gas mining.
“The local community around Belgrave were supporting people in Gippsland and Western Victoria who are facing invasive gasfield developments in their communities,” she said.
“I’m shocked to see some of the terrible effects fracking and gasfields have had in Queensland and overseas.”
In response, Mr Merlino praised their efforts to protest in a peaceful manner.
“It’s great to see people who are passionate and engaged about different issues in the community and I’m always happy to listen to their views and concerns,” he said.
