Thousands of cars lined the roads across the country on Saturday as part of the Lock the Gate Coal Seam Gas protest.
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Started by the Coonabarabran community last year, the peaceful roadside protest went national in just its second year running, the week before the federal election.
Following the success of last year coordinators had planned to hold the protest on July 2, however when the election was called they changed the date.
“We are an apoliticial group, we are trying to raise awareness and get people to talk to their local member about their policies,” Gas Field Free Dubbo Region convenor Sally Forsstrom said.
“It’s a coordinated protest to raise awareness,”
Ms Forsstrom was joined at the corner of the Newell Highway and Brisbane Street by Dubbo knitting nanna Glenys McKinnon.
“When you are sitting on the highway and you are getting a great response, it gives you the energy to keep going and keep fighting for this.”
“We aren’t breaking any rules, we aren’t stopping any works, this is a very peaceful, non-violent protest,” Ms Forsstrom said.
The couple said they had seen many trucks on the road this morning, but just as many caravans as well.
Dubbo organiser Peter Small said he had been travelling along the Newell Highway visiting the groups during the day.
“At the beginning of the protest in Dubbo people were just learning what was going on, when you got up the road a bit there were lots more honking cars, tooting, lots of excitement.
“It was one of those times you were in a better position further up the road. I had comments the same as last year that people had sore faces and sore arms from smiling and waving so much.”
“It was all positive, it’s a positive message and people were excited to be taking part,” Mr Small said.
Supporters around the country took to twitter and Instagram on Sunday using the #WaterForLife16 hashtag to talk about the protest.
“It’s not something one group can own. It’s great to see everyone getting out there under the one banner with a clear focus on what they are fighting for.
“Hopefully our politicians can see the noise that is being made and make those promises to protect the water services everywhere.
“People around the country spoke very clearly today, nation wide people are very concerned we aren’t respecting our water. Once it’s polluted there is no going back.”
Supporters around the country took to twitter and Instagram on Sunday using the #WaterForLife16 hashtag to talk about the protest.
A facebook group set up to orgainse the #WaterForLife National Highway action group said they were ‘demanding the protection of our water resources’
“It’s time our government stood up against big coal and risky gas projects. People from all across Australia will park their cars along our national highways and make a noise that cannot be ignored.”
The largest highway action protest was self-organised by community groups from Darwin to Hobart, Cairns to Perth.