CONTROVERSIAL logging and coal seam gas (CSG) mining issues are set to get a high profile in the Dubbo region.
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A new group, Gasfield Free Dubbo Region, was formed to raise awareness of safety, potential threats to the environment and other issues relating to CSG mining, which has sparked opposition from environmentalists and farmers around Australia.
Interim office bearers – which has links to anti-CSG organisations – have already started work.
One aim is to persuade the Dubbo City Council to follow about 50 other councils around the country and declare the entire local government area CSG-free.
The NSW government cancelled an exploration licence for CSG exploration in an area of 9400 square kilometres around Dubbo last month.
But, the group fears a new licence could be issued in future to another company.
It is gearing up for its campaign and will elect officers at the weekend.
The NSW Nature Conservation Council (NCC) is running a campaign against a logging proposal at the Brigalow Nandewar Conservation Area. The area covers 195,000 hectares including Dubbo.
The proposal by the Nature Resources Commission recommends thinning of white cypress pine, grazing and burning in state conservation areas.
Opponents say it would be a dangerous precedent for commercial exploitation of national parks and forests and question its scientific justifications.
Residents would be wise to study the pros and cons of CSG and the logging. The debates and rows can’t be far away.