CSG mining risks too great to ignore

Gasfield Free Dubbo convenor Sally Forsstrom said CSG posed "a very real threat" and local disquiet was growing on a daily basis.

"People of all ages and walks of life are expressing concern about the risk of damage to the Great Artesian Basin, contamination of precious water resources, harm to environment and heritage and significant impacts on human and animal health," she said.

"The Goonoo forest, just 35km from Dubbo, is the subject of gas field exploration and there are plans to put hundreds of gas wells into the Pilliga forest to the north of our city.

"As the NSW election draws nearer concerned people should take the opportunity to join a regional event demonstrating a collective voice."

Ms Forsstrom said a day of action at Gunnedah had been organised by the North West Alliance.

The March 15 protest was being heavily promoted through social media and word of mouth.

Large numbers of caravans, RVs, chartered buses and private vehicles were expected to roll up to the Donnelly playing fields on the Namoi river flats.

"Big numbers are expected and Dubbo and the surrounding region will be well represented," Ms Forsstrom said.

"A bus will leave Dubbo at 8am. The $28 cost will include a free barbecue and entertainment.

"I want at least 50 local people to come with me. If more wish to attend additional buses will be organised."

Ms Forsstrom has always had a strong interest in the environment. She grew up on sheep stations west of the Blue Mountains and gained an early understanding of biodiversity and the impact of drought and floods.

"I am not what you would call a protester and I wouldn't get arrested," she said.

"As a registered nurse aged in my 60s I feel very strongly about protesting in a way that does not break any laws."

Ms Forsstrom is a member of the Dubbo Knitting Nannas Against Gas who have been a weekly presence outside the office of Member for Dubbo Troy Grant every Wednesday since early December last year.

Dressed in yellow and black and surrounded by 'Lock The Gate' and 'No Gasfields' signs, the knitters talk to people passing by and hand out information on the dangers of CSG.

"My sister lives in Coonabarabran where residents have been much more active campaigners against CSG," Ms Forsstrom said.

"I joined the Coonabarabran action group and in August 2011 led the Dubbo Field Naturalists on a camping trip to the Dandry Gorge Aboriginal heritage site in the Pilliga. We drove around the well sites then owned by Eastern Star Gas.

"We could smell gas and as methane is odourless I hate to think what we were breathing in.

"The Pilliga is on the recharge of the Great Artesian Basin and is a bushfire prone heritage site. It is ridiculous to have a gas field in such a sensitive area."

Ms Forsstrom was appointed convenor of the local CSG action group when Dubbo Field Naturalists called a meeting on August 24 last year.

The meeting received support from Lock the Gate north-west co-ordinator Megan Kuhn, Bore Water Users Association president Anne Kennedy and Jane Judd from Coonabarabran Residents Against Gas.

"We showed the movie Fractured Country and had a good number of participants," Ms Forsstrom said.

"Membership increases every week.

"People have concerns about what has happened in other areas and what could happen in Dubbo and the region.

"CSG mining at Camden has seen gas leaking out of wells situated near new homes. There have been contamination incidents at Gloucester and Narrabri because companies are putting profits before people.

"Once the Narrabri gas field gets final approval and goes into production there will be pressure for it to extend through Coonabarabran to Tooraweenah and the Goonoo forest.

"I have spoken to Troy Grant and he says there will be no gas field in the Goonoo. I have a lot of respect for Mr Grant but I don't believe he or future governments will not be tempted by the billions of dollars in royalties to be earned."

Ms Forsstrom has grave concerns about the interconnectivities of the Great Artesian Basin and the risk of contamination from CSG waste water.

"There will be huge problems for the people of western NSW if the water table drops or waterways are contaminated," she said.

"So many people are concerned about genetic modification and the use of pesticides but imagine what could happen to crops, livestock and human health if ground water is contaminated.

"Some of the metals associated with CSG are toxic, including uranium. The abattoir in Dubbo could be affected if livestock drink contaminated water. There could be huge impacts on primary production and overseas exports."

Ms Forsstrom said people should not listen to reassurances from CSG companies.

"They are only concerned about getting the gas out of the ground and have been known to lie about getting rid of contaminated waste water by spraying it on roads and dumping it into waterways," she said.

"How are we going to know that CSG companies are going to stay around long enough to compensate people for the damage that has been done?

"Look at all the history with asbestos and the companies that have gone offshore to escape their responsibilities."

Ms Forsstrom said she is just an ordinary person who hasn't been involved in a protest since she spoke out about the Vietnam War during her time as a student at the University of NSW.

"I didn't think I would ever be protesting again but CSG is just too big of a concern not to do anything.

"If the gasfields go ahead and the environment is affected at least I can say I stood up and tried to do something.

"We live in a free country and it is our right to research issues and talk about them.

"I want people in Dubbo to have a conversation about CSG. Talk to their family and friends and the politicians standing for election.

"Go to the Gasfield Free Dubbo facebook page; email me (sallyaf@gmail.com); be part of the March 15 trip to Gunnedah for the community action day.

"Gasfield Free Dubbo is a non-political group so we don't care who people vote for but we do ask people to consider the impact of CSG. It would be even better to talk to the candidates about a subject that is too important to ignore.

"Troy Grant is a young man with a big future. He is leader of The Nationals and could have a huge impact on turning around the whole issue of CSG."