Illawarra residents organise to stop coal seam gas mining

March 19, 2011
Issue 
First organising meeting of Stop CSG Illawarra, Thirroul, March 13.
First organising meeting of Stop CSG Illawarra, Thirroul, March 13. Photo: Chris Williams

On March 13, more than 100 people attended the first organising meeting of Stop CSG Illawarra, a residents’ group campaigning for a moratorium on coal seam gas mining (CSG).

Concerned locals decided to establish the group a week earlier at a screening of Gasland, an Oscar-nominated film about coal seam gas mining in the United States.

Fifteen CSG wells were recently approved for development in the northern Illawarra region under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Mining company APEX Energy has another well application before the NSW Department of Planning.

Stop CSG Illawarra spokesperson Jess Moore said the wells are in and around the Sydney Water Catchment, and pose a direct threat to the water supply.

“Our concerns include possible physical damage to the environment, groundwater loss, groundwater and surface contamination, toxic chemical use, health impacts, untreatable 'produced water', leaky wells, increased risk of bush fires and gas explosions — many of which pose a high risk to residents, farmers and industry workers,” Moore told Green Left Weekly.

The most well-known — and unpopular — method is hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fracking chemicals are associated with cancer, liver and kidney problems, and damage to the immune and nervous systems.

“But all CSG methods result in untreatable 'produced water', lower the water table and are a fire hazard.

“Indeed, apart from some Darkes Forest land owners, whose approval on leases was required, the community was not consulted or even contacted about local approvals.

“If CSG is safe, why have plans been kept secret?

“The legislation is set up to enable the expansion of CSG at the expense of residents. Legislation designed to protect the community, our drinking water and conservation areas has been overturned over the past six years,” Moore said.

At the March 13 meeting, Stop CSG Illawarra decided to campaign for: a Royal Commission into all impacts of CSG mining; a moratorium on CSG mining until the outcome of the Royal Commission; and a ban on fracking.

The group also voted to affiliate to the Lock the Gate Alliance, a national network of groups campaigning for a halt to CSG.

A wide range of strategies and actions were discussed, and the group agreed to begin with an information campaign including letterboxing and doorknocking houses in the Illawarra.

The group will approach the South Coast Labour Council to discuss placing a Green Ban on any CSG activities and to organise more screenings of Gasland, including in local schools and community centres.

Moore said: “The government has put mining industry profits ahead of the needs of community and the environment that supports us. Opposition from the community is the only thing that will turn this around.”

Comments

We have been hoodwinked by our own government for the sake of supplying gas to china. This is a crime and we need to all stand up and stop this we have already done un reparable damage to our waterways and our land and our future children, do these people not realise you cannot eat gas or money which is all that will be left if they continues this discusting act. The whole australian public needs to know of this and stand together to say no to Coal Seam Gas Mining. Power to the Peaceful.
Hello all we @ scam_ stop_crew are going to begin our own campain against this form of mining. We will over the comeing days be trying get as much info as we can on this disgrace. The Australian people don't seem to have a say thies day. We can @ www.scamstopcrew.com help to bring this SCAM out into the open. So pleas if anyone would like to submit any form off info in any way pleas do so @ Scamst01@scamstopcrew.com help to bring this OUT IN THE OPEN.

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.