Minister for Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts, informed Leichhardt Resources Pty Ltd its three NSW PELs had been cancelled.

Mr Roberts said the licences were cancelled under the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 on the basis that Leichhardt Resources had contravened or failed to fulfil specified conditions of the licences.

On April 30, 2009 Leichhardt Resources was granted three licences.

These licences are PELs 469 near Nowra, 468 near Rylstone and 470 near Moree.

On February 8, 2013 these titles were renewed for five years with set conditions to be met including a need to engage with the community in relation to the planning and conduct of its prospecting operations.

“On August 7, 2014 the company was issued a Show Cause Notice in relation to the proposed cancellation of the licences. The allegation of not complying with the requirement for community engagement was raised in relation to all three licences,” Mr Roberts said.

The allegation of not complying with its work program obligations was also raised in relation to PEL 470.

Mr Roberts said the NSW Government announced on March 26, 2014 it would target operators who had not met the conditions of their PELs.

Mrs Blatchford said with the everyday pressures of farming, plus the added threat from the CSG industry, it was overwhelming.

“I was delighted to receive the news,” she said.

“I’m really proud of our community and the support I’ve been given, and the fact that our landholders remained united.”

Towards the end of 2012 landholders were approached about CSG and in early 2011 a public forum was hosted and an action group was formed.

“In the second half of 2011 the sign went up (pictured), which was quite significant,” Mrs Blatchford said.

“It was kind of made up on the run. We were having a rally and we needed a one-liner and some signage. We had a get-together at one of the properties at Gurley and we had some signage made up for that, so it sort of flowed on from there; that same sentence. We wanted to send a message to anyone driving past, and for it to be a constant reminder,” she said.

Mrs Blatchford has been referred to as a poster girl and she believes the CSG companies underestimated the personality of our community.

“I think they underestimated how much we actually cared,” she said.

“Farmers, and farmers’ wives especially, really stood up across NSW. What I did was a reflection of what I do on the farm. I have an interest in law and I felt we needed to do something for the productivity of our land. That was the driver.

“The more I knew the more I couldn’t let it go. I had so much information, I couldn’t just walk away.”

Mrs Blatchford believes the threat of CSG will continue.

“There are so many licences granted in NSW,” she said.

“In the short-term there is the moratorium but with the new regulations and with the expectations of the communities I think we are stronger. We know so much more now.  We wouldn’t have to recreate the wheel if we were ever under threat. We’ve got a supportive council and a united community; we’ll just reengage.

“This was a test case and I generally believe Minister Roberts is doing the right thing. He took the allegation seriously and had Leichhardt  Resources investigated. Now the community has a precedent. When a company breaches a licence, no matter their size, we all have equal rights. It’s a message to the industry.”

Now the local threat is over, for the time being, Mrs Blatchford said she wouldn’t step away from her fight.

“I’ll still be active. I’ll still help other groups. If anyone has any questions I’m always happy to help them,” she said.