The Bentley Effect

How a community became a social movement and defied the gas juggernaut.

When the coal seam gas industry staked a claim on the Northern Rivers shire of Australia, alarm bells rang out. A critical mass of people from all walks of life – farmers, teachers, doctors, mums, dads, activists, scientists – organised themselves to rally against the unconventional gas invasion. But despite the enormous public opposition, the gas industry and the State Government were determined to see their gas plan through.

A series of dramatic blockades ensued, before the final battle lines were drawn in the peaceful farming valley of Bentley. Thousands of people flocked to the site to stare down the threat of an unprecedented 850 strong force of riot police, ordered in to break up the protest.

Filmed over five years, The Bentley Effect documents the highs and lows of the battle to keep a unique part of Australia free gas-field free. This timely story of a community’s heroic stand shows how strategic direct action and peaceful protest from a committed community can overcome industrial might and political short-sightedness. It celebrates the biggest non-violent ‘Eureka Stockade’ moment of our time and chronicles one of the fastest growing social movements we have ever witnessed, posing the question “what is truly valuable?’