Fullerton Cove Pilot Project Approved

The NSW Government has given Dart Energy approval to drill pilot coal seam gas wells north east of Newcastle. Local residents are concerned about contamination of nearby RAMSAR listed wetlands, the Hunter River estuary and the Tomaree Sands groundwater system which is a component of their water supply. This is compounded by the history of earthquakes and floods in the area.

Gas leak in Condamine River



Chinchilla

Lock the Gate investigators have discovered coal seam gas bubbling to the surface along a five kilometre stretch of the Condamine River near Chinchilla in Queensland.

Government Forum: No Protection from Mining in NSW

The Upper Hunter Regional Land Use Public Forum in Singleton on 13 April was a frustrating waste of time. As the meeting progressed it became clear the NSW Government will not protect the State from coal or coal seam gas mining.

Ejected from Parliament

Last Thursday I went to NSW Parliament House to see the Moratorium Bill on CSG knocked back in the Legislative Council and the petition with 20,000 signatures debated in the Legislative Assembly. I am pleased I did as it was hardly reported in the media.

CSG Moratorium Bill

A month without campaigning against coal seam gas has been fantastic but now it’s time to get back to work.

Faith in government shattered

Although the government, Dart Energy and AGL have assured me that there will be no activity at Putty over the next couple of months my faith in the government to protect our environment has been completely shattered during 2011 and I will continue to check websites etc for changes.

ABC launches CSG by numbers website

The ABC has produced the most comprehensive map of Australia's coal seam gas activities made so far and has pulled together information from dozens of sources to provide an insight into the promise and the dangers inherent in the coal seam gas rush.

CSG in the news

Gruen Planet guest tells how to deal with communities, drilling stops on Liverpool Plains until study complete, National Party fails to vote on its own CSG policy.

Gladstone & CSG – 4 Corners tonight

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Thirty years ago, Australia willingly made the Reef a World Heritage Area. That listing was intended to protect the Reef. Any changes to its management, or developments that might affect it, should be notified in advance to the World Heritage Committee.

Petition to O’Farrell on 22 November

A petition with 10,000 signatures will be presented to Premier O’Farrell on Tuesday November 22 at 1pm on the steps of Parliament House. Join other campaigners against the rapid expansion of coal seam gas extraction with your banners and signs.

Coal seam gas in the news

Federal independents and Greens call for CSG halt and water studies; fracking is the ‘likely cause’ of earthquakes in the UK; UNESCO concerned that the Federal and Queensland government have breached World Heritage guidelines; energy analyst attacks industry and regulators for failing to conduct independent regional modelling of the groundwater impacts. Links to full articles and to the fracking song.

We Want CSG Advertising Campaign

The industry’s advertising campaign ‘We want CSG’ says that it will bring royalties to the states but in NSW royalties are not due until five years after production starts.

The Importance of Land Use Plans

Meetings, the importance of Land Use Plans, rapid expansion of coal and coal seam gas industries in the Hunter, CSG Industry’s statistical spin.

Anti-CSG Campaign ramps up

On Sunday I marched with about two thousand people down King Street, Newtown in protesting about approval to drill a core hole in St Peters and about the rapid expansion of the coal seam gas industry in Australia without full scientific risk assessment.

Coal and gas found at Putty

Coal and gas found at Putty, licence out of date, legal advice, Putty mining exclusion zone campaign, counter advertising campaign, video links, inquiry deadline extended, petition links

Questions asked but answers unsatisfactory

Last week the media focused on the effect of the mining boom on the economy. This week questions are being asked about why potential property buyers were not told about CSG drilling, what happens to waste water and how did Btex get into aquifers.

Drilling starts at Putty

Drilling starts at Putty, bore water testing, council and RFS not notified, a week of protests, media focus on coal seam gas and Putty.

Impacts of coal seam gas to be investigated

A Parliamentary Committee 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. The Committee is currently seeking submissions from interested individuals and groups, with a closing date of 7th September 2011.

Putty goes to Leichhardt

On Monday night a group of 15 Putty Valley landholders and residents attended a public meeting hosted by The Greens at Leichhardt Town Hall. Over 300 people crowded into the hall to hear from coal seam gas mining company representatives and a variety of people who oppose them.

Drug Raids and Meetings

Putty drug lab arrests, meeting with Singleton Council reps and Hawkesbury Environmental Network.