CSG view on a wing and a pair
WHEN Lismore couple Suzanne and Brett Zaferis, both 37, married last month they wanted to send a message to their wedding guests.
And the message - that coal-seam gas mining is not welcome on the Northern Rivers - was delivered on a pair of bright yellow fairy wings on the bridal gown.
The mother of two cut out the wings from lock the gate signs and wore them at the reception to create awareness about the issue she is passionate about.
Many of the guests knew about CSG, but others did not, she said.
"Some people still don't know about this," Mrs Zaferis said.
"People think it is something that only affects farmers, but suburban people need to get on the bandwagon too.
"This is an issue which affects everyone. Water affects everyone."
Mrs Zaferis said while she had always been politically minded she had never been politically active before.
"It's too big an issue to just be against. I had to step outside my comfort zone and become politically active," she said.
She has since marched at all the anti-CSG rallies and has joined the CSG Free-Lismore group.
The issue was also close to her family. Her father is a dairy farmer and she wanted to show support against the industry she claimed would threaten his livelihood.
She said the Government should be doing more to protect the environment and landholders from CSG.
The Government's draft code of practice for CSG explorers and community consultation guidelines are on public exhibition at haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/regionallanduse.
