Hundreds protest against CSG mining

More than 1,000 people from across NSW gathered at Martin Place last Sunday to protest against coal seam gas exploration.

Environmental groups and local farmers joined forces to call for the state government and opposition to introduce tighter controls on the mining industry.

They claim the state’s water supply and soil could become contaminated, which would potentially impact on food supply and the health of the public.

The crowd condemned the government for their lack of responsiveness on the issue and said Premier Kristina Keneally’s recent proposed policy changes were too late.

“In the case of the Labor policy, they have had 16 years to deal with these problems and to announce proposed changes in policy just days before the election, really for most affected communities, is too little too late,” Chief Executive of the Nature Conservation Council, Pepe Clarke, said.

The Greens, along with the Nature Conservation Council, have called for a moratorium on new coal seam gas exploration until further research into environmental effects is completed.

Last week Keneally announced she would ban the use of BTEX chemicals and exploration activities on waterways next to national parks.

But Mr Clarke said Labor’s announcement neglects the environment and does not go far enough to restrain the negative effects of the industry.

“Labor’s 10-point plan addresses some concerns such as banning BTEX chemicals but it does not balance mining industry needs with community and environmental protection,” he said.

“The lack of government oversight of coal seam gas projects has been so great that now Labor is playing catch up with a proposed audit of gas wells and drill sites across NSW.”

While the Coalition announced, if elected, they would implement a policy titled Strategic Regional Land Use Policy, which would essentially involve assessing land on an environmental, social, and economic value before coal development approvals are given.

Protestors sang “Can’t eat coal, can’t drink gas”, while others carried banners reading “Coal seam gas? No fracking way” as they marched to the state government’s offices at Governor Phillip Tower in Farrer Place.