A GROUP of local farmers are determined to tell their side of the story when it comes to concerns over coal seam gas (CSG) – and they’re doing it next door to energy giant Santos’ Gunnedah office.
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The group has taken a lease on a Conadilly Street property to inform the community about what they believe are potential threats to the future of agriculture in the shire.
The idea came following “frustration” over Santos’ ongoing advertising campaign spruiking the benefits of CSG in rural communities.
The aim of the main street property is to offer people an opportunity to find out more about CSG, and provide information about the extent of development in Queensland, results of scientific research, quotes from various professors and environmentalists, concerns about impacts on water and various media clippings.
“We’ve got a whole country at risk,” said Willala farmer Alistair Donaldson.
“The (Santos) ads don’t show the full picture.
“Gunnedah needs underground water and too much evidence shows it will be affected to some degree.”
Farmers fear that NSW will follow in the footsteps of Queensland where there is mass CSG development and infrastructure.
In Queensland alone up to 40,000 wells are expected to be drilled by 2030, leaving landholders fearing for their livelihoods and our nation’s food bowl.
“Santos advertisements aim to create a perception in people’s mind that this is a safe industry, that there will be plenty of jobs and that the process of recovering CSG from coal seams will not pose any threat to underground water,” Mullaley farmer Robyn King said.
Ms King also questioned the direct benefits to local communities.
“If we need the energy, why are we exporting it?”
Santos has always maintained it is confident that responsible CSG development and production provides a safe, clean solution for the state’s energy needs and one that can be delivered in a timely fashion.
Mr Donaldson and Mrs King thanked the Vernados family for their generosity when it came to leasing the main street premises.
They also believe the local campaign against CSG is gaining momentum.
It follows a recent survey carried out by Mullaley farmers where 98.5 per cent of 297 people in the shire supported a no-go CSG zone in the area.
Meanwhile, farmers are supporting a public meeting to be held next Tuesday, 6.30pm-8.30pm at Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club to hear about CSG concerns relating to health, the environment and the economy.
Guest speakers include The Australian Institute’s Mark Ogge who will speak about “mining risks to our economy”, Sharyn Munro, author of Rich Land, Wasteland and Dr Steve Robinson from Doctors for the Environment Australia.
