A new organisation has been formed in Dubbo to raise awareness of what it says are the downsides of coal seam gas mining.
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The practice has grown in profile in the region after activity in the Pilliga State Forest and resistance has also increased as concerns spread about the safety of the activity.
A CSG awareness meeting in Dubbo last month led to the formation of Gasfield Free Dubbo Region, who are hoping to deter any possible CSG activity in the area.
Interim convenor of Gasfield Free Dubbo Region, Sally Forsstrom said the aim of the organisation was to spread the word around Dubbo of the threat to the environment, water and people’s way of life if the mining comes here.
“Our first aim is to raise awareness. Groups that have started in other areas have done that and that has had a positive impact,” she said.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of the effect that gasfields have had in parts of Queensland. Farmers aren’t getting any sleep because the light and noise created by the mine is constant.
“It’s not that we are against mining for resources. It’s the concept of a gasfield that has a huge impact on water that is the biggest concern.”
In the longer term, the group is hoping to follow in the footsteps of organisations like Stop CSG in Coonamble, who determined through a survey that 96 per cent of the town was opposed to CSG.
They are also hoping to convince Dubbo City Council to follow in the footsteps of others by declaring the shire a CSG free area.
“There was a regional council meeting where a proposal to make the region CSG free was narrowly defeated but we are hopeful that can change,” Ms Forsstrom said.
A Petroleum Exploration Licence Application that covered Dubbo was recently rejected by the NSW Government because the applicant CEEMAC Pty Ltd failed to provide additional information.
However Ms Forsstrom said it is only a matter of time before another application is made.
“Troy Grant has made it clear that he is just looking for someone more reputable to come along and pick up the licence. Once that happens, Dubbo will have to deal with the issue,” she said.
“Dubbo has a diverse population and they understand the value of water, living on the Macquarie River.”
Gasfield Free Dubbo Region will hold their first meeting on Saturday where they will elect an official committee and develop a plan.