Police pack up and leave Doubtful Creek blockade
POLICE have now left the Doubtful Creek anti-CSG blockade after converging en mass this morning - though it still remains unclear what motivated the operation.
Officers from Casino and Kyogle, as well as the Police Dog Unit, arrived at the blockade site at Eden Creek State Forest about 10am this morning, following reports protesters were preventing a truck from leaving the site.
Local landowner and Richmond Valley Group Against Gas spokesman Dean Draper said that protesters had let a contractor's truck leave the site earlier this morning after an amicable discussion with the driver.
Police arrived at the site to find around 50 coal seam gas opponents near the entrance to private land where Metgasco is preparing to commence drilling activities.
Five police cars and nearly a dozen police officers attended the blockade.
While the atmosphere between police and activists remained cordial and relaxed, all police vehicles, personnel and dogs left the site just after 11.30am.
No work is currently being carried out at the property by Metgasco staff or contractors who are in the process of constructing a drilling pad just metres from the border of the Eden Creek State Forest.
