Mining threat to Great Artesian Basin

The Great Artesian Basin and the Great Barrier Reef are called great for a reason. They are the largest of their kind in the world. Coal seam gas extraction has the potential to ruin both these Australian greats. 

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB), the country’s only permanent inland water, underlies a quarter of Australia, the driest inhabited continent on earth.

Australia to lose environmental protection

The koala was recently listed as a nationally threatened species, but now the federal
government plans to hand its legal powers over to the states, placing the koala and its habitat
at risk. Koala and joey photo: WRD-073 © Dave Watts / Lochman Transparencies

Not content with putting pressure on the state government, big business and the mining industry have broadened their attack to our federal environment laws. Following intense industry lobbying, federal and state governments have recently announced an aggressive plan to wind back critical environmental protection laws that protect our land, water and wildlife.

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.

Our environmental laws are under attack

Wollemi National Park - B Kearns

Right now, developers and mining companies are lobbying to weaken essential environmental protections and public participation rights in the planning system in order to get fast-tracked development approvals.

Putty Rally against Strategic Regional Land Use Plan

The Putty community and people downstream came together for a rally at the Putty Hall on Sunday 1 April.

The rally was organised as a protest against the NSW Government’s Strategic Regional Land Use Plan (SRLUP) for the Upper Hunter which has the Putty area mapped as an area with potential for coal seam gas extraction and open-cut and/or underground coal mining.

Putty Valley in shock at broken election promise

The NSW Government's draft Regional Strategic Land Use Plan for the Upper Hunter does not protect high conservation areas or sensitive areas.

Coal Seam Gas and You

A Coal Seam Gas Information Session will be held in the Tebbutt Room, Deerubbin Centre, Windsor on Thursday 16 February at 7.00pm.

NSW Government Extends Fraccing Moratorium

Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher today announced the extension of the NSW Government’s moratorium on fraccing until April 2012 pending the completion of an independent review process.

Senate Report into Coal Seam Gas

Senator Bill Heffernan, the Chairman of the Senate Standing References Committee on Rural Affairs & Transport today released the Committee's report on the Impact of Coal Seam Gas Extraction on the Murray-Darling Basin. The report considers the potential impact of the industry on Basin groundwater resources, agricultural land and regional communities.

CSG Moratorium Bill debated this Friday

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham MLC, welcomed the NSW Labor Party's back flip on coal seam gas and their new found support for the Greens' policy and believes their position now makes it possible for his Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill to pass the Legislative Council.

NSW Opposition calls for suspension of CSG exploration

Opposition Leader John Robertson is calling on the Government to suspend all current Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses to protect the State's precious water resources.

Landowners blockade Santos CSG project

Landowners from communities across the Liverpool Plains have been forced to take direct action against the mining giant Santos to stop it pushing ahead with ‘pilot production’ of coal seam gas before the potential risks to the region’s iconic water systems are known.

10,000 people at national day of action against CSG

From Cairns in Far North Queensland to Margaret River in Western Australia, from small groups of 50 to mass rallies of 2000, Lock the Gaters rallied on Sunday to celebrate our national day of action. It was a remarkable success with over 10,000 people mobilising to show their support for our campaign to stop irresponsible mining from destroying good farm land, closely settled areas, underground water systems and environmentally sensitive areas.

Will the Green Eureka Flag create controversy again?

Fifty Green Eureka Flags will fly in various communities around Australia from 12 noon on Sunday 16 October during the national day of action against coal seam gas extraction.

Putty prepares to defend its water

The Putty community is preparing to defend its water from coal seam gas extraction on Sunday 16 October 2011 at the Putty Hall.

Landmark Court Case begins 17 October

The Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance, with the support of the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), has lodged an appeal in the Land & Environment Court in Sydney against the approval of AGL's coal seam gas project in the Gloucester-Stroud Valley. Members of communities facing the threat of coal seam gas development are urged to attend the hearings on 17, 19 and 20 October.

National Water Commission urges COAG to stay the distance on water reform

The National Water Commission has released its comprehensive assessment of water reform progress in Australia, calling on governments to stay the distance on their reform commitments.

Media Release - The Stupid Country

As Dart Energy discovers coal and gas at Putty, 500m from the World Heritage Wollemi National Park, the community launches a campaign to have the area declared a mining and extractive industries exclusion zone.

Have your say: NSW Planning System Review coming to a town near you!

The most comprehensive review of planning legislation in three decades is about to hit the road – the Government appointed review panel is embarking on an exhaustive two-month road trip to ensure the people of NSW are heard. 

Media release - Poll reveals opposition to CSG

Polling conducted by Galaxy Research has revealed widespread opposition to coal seam gas in Australia and puts pressure on Premier Barry O'Farrell to act to protect the NSW environment and communities.