A wake up call to the Valley

IMAGINE if you didn't know you owned your own land, even if your family had lived on it for generations.

On Thursday, February 24 more than 80 concerned residents from the Lockyer Valley and region attended a screening of the controversial documentary, GasLand, at the Lockyer District High School Assembly Hall in Gatton.

The public event was co-ordinated by Judy Whistler and James Kerr to make residents aware that gas and coal companies were starting to explore land in the region.

Drew Hutton from Lock the Gate, Western Alliance, based at Warra and Ruth Armstrong, a grain farmer from Cecil Plains were present.

Many questions were asked about land management and the speakers told the audience that these companies are virtually unstoppable from coming onto their land for exploration, no matter how long they have had a deed on their land.

Gas and coal companies are continuing their exploration from the Darling Downs closer to the Lockyer Valley, causing a stir in the community.