Community groups in Manning and Gloucester have managed to oppose coal seam gas mining at public meetings successfully enough to have the New South Wales Upper House committee announce a full parliamentary inquiry into the impacts of the coal seam gas industry on the state.
The announcement came after the third meeting of the “Defend Our Water” promotional tour that Lock the Gate Alliance Management Committee was undertaking.
The New South Wales Parliament’s Legislative Council is responsible for resources and energy in the state. It has announced a full parliamentary inquiry which will investigate the environmental, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas mining in NSW, following widespread concerns from landholders, farmers and environmentalists worried about the affects of this rapidly growing industry.
Mr Ross Dunn, the head of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, has admitted that coal seam gas drilling will inevitably impact aquifers. Another issue is the potential health impacts on those living in coal seam gas mining areas via water pollution.
The inquiry will be headed by the Shooters and Fishers Party MP Robert Brown with Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham as the committee's deputy chairman. A media release from the Legislative Council said that the Committee was currently seeking submissions from interested individuals and groups, with a closing date of September 7, 2011.
Mr Brown said that substantial reserves of coal seam gas were located in NSW and the potential energy of these reserves was massive. Known reserves of coal seam gas in NSW could power all current NSW residential energy use for the next 181 years.
Mr Brown added that coal seam mining has the potential to affect the environment, particularly water supplies, and whilst it can bring economic and social benefits to communities, it can also raise issues of property rights and property values. He encouraged people to get involved with the inquiry and have their say.