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Council voices CSG concerns to inquiry

10 Dec, 2011 03:00 AM
The potential impact of coal seam gas mining on the Illawarra's spectacular yet fragile environment was at the centre of a Wollongong City Council submission to a parliamentary inquiry yesterday.

Councillors Jill Merrin and Greg Petty joined council officers Peter Kofod and Renee Campbell in addressing a panel of seven MPs in Mittagong during the sixth of seven public meetings being held in NSW.

Cr Merrin said she felt the panel responded well to the issues the council raised.

"I felt like they wanted to listen to what people had to say," she said.

"I initially thought there might be some aggressive questioning, but the MPs approached it with a really open mind."

Cr Merrin said she told the panel Wollongong residents were "overwhelmingly against" coal seam gas (CSG) mining in the region, particularly in the sensitive water catchment areas in the northern suburbs.

She also drew the MPs' attention to the vocal protests that had been staged on Austinmer Beach earlier this year and the recent Sea Cliff Bridge walk on the national day of action.

"As the third largest city in NSW, the State Government should be listening to the people of Wollongong," she said.

Cr Petty spoke about the community's concerns over potential contamination of the region's drinking water supply should CSG exploratory activities continue to occur and the conflicting and overlapping legislation governing the land.

"My greatest hope is the Government doesn't allow exploration or production of CSG in the water catchment area surrounding Darkes Forest," she said.

The CSG inquiry has received more than 1000 submissions, including letters from the Northern Illawarra Sustainability Alliance, National Parks Association Illawarra branch, Coalcliff Community Association, Stop CSG Illawarra and Helensburgh resident Natasha Watson.

The MPs were also addressed at yesterday's Mittagong meeting by members of the Country Women's Association, Scenic Hills Association, Southern Highlands Coal Action Group, Rivers SOS and Campbelltown, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Camden councils.

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I hope THEY ALL mentioned the FACT that all the northern area, and probably elsewhere, is a PROVEN BUSHFIRE ZONE and EVERYTHING BURNS. Now what part of that those companies that want to get the gas don't understand??
Posted by Alan Bond, 10/12/2011 6:32:59 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
How can these two Green leaning Councillors claim to speak for all of Wollongong's population?

Did the whole Council endorse their actions?

Last time I checked, our city' s population was around 200000, the usual suspects marching over Seacliffe Bridge and the proportionately small amount of signatures obtained is a minuscule sample of us all.

Council should present a balanced perspective on the CSG issue, it does have positive economic potential for Wollongong.

Posted by Hoot Hoot, 10/12/2011 7:44:28 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Where did Cr Merrin and that other Greenie get their figures from, in a City of over 200000 people to get maybe 1000 people voicing their objection does not get the "overwhelmingly against" scenario, in fact I would say that the opposite applies if you take the numbers of the silent majority. There obviously needs to be much more scientific research done regarding this practice and where our water supply is in proximity, a wait and see attitude should be taken. What are the other Councillors saying? Obviously they don't have the same concerns as the greenies. Smart people.
Posted by johne, 10/12/2011 1:18:41 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
One of the most interesting things to come out of this inquiry was the fact that there are safeguards within these mining contracts that release the government from compensation claims by mining companies, should they be stopped from mining due to environmental concerns. As such, Barry O'Farrell can stop using that as an excuse for allowing mining companies with pre-existing contracts to continue. Perhaps he should be more worried about the massive class action lawsuit the people of NSW will bring against the government if CSG is allowed to go ahead.
Posted by Sothern Highlands resident, 10/12/2011 4:42:56 PM, on Illawarra Mercury
The disbelievers and ill-informed should check out www.splitestate.com
Posted by BAG, 11/12/2011 5:52:20 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Perhaps Hoot, Hoot, (how can any one name their child that?) and other funny named persons check out my video on coal gas seams in the northern illawarra at www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1sNH_Dw53U and by the way, why is everybody labelled a Green? Cr Petty certainly isn't, and to set the record straight, neither am I. Besides just because the silent majority don't get off their bum to do anything at all, why say those that actually do something, aren't speaking for them all, or do you have shares in gas companies? My concern up here is all this in a proven bush fire zone, doesn't anyone get that?
Posted by Alan Bond, 11/12/2011 7:08:01 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
We,the objectors to the coal seam gas mining will be proven right. the only problem is it will be too late and the damage will be done. The gas companies will have made their billions and left the scene, and we will be left with contaminated water and the mess to clean up.It's time the Government ministers in charge grew balls, and put a stop to it once and for all.
Posted by bushie, 11/12/2011 10:08:26 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
@ Johne There were 1,000+ individual objection letters to the Dep Planning against the proposed bore hole AI19 in the drinking water catchment of Darkes Forest via my website otfordeco. There were many more lodged directly, but very few in favour of the drilling. You had ample opportunity to lodge a 'yes please pollute our drinking water' letter. The Stop CSG Illawarra group collected over 15,000 signatures demanding csg drilling be suspended. Where are your 15,000 names in favour?. And ALLl the WCC councillors voted on Oct 31 to stand against csg mining in the Illawarra water catchment.
Posted by Natasha Watson, 11/12/2011 10:35:23 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
@ Natasha Watson, regular as clockwork your comment is wrong again. At no time did I advocate drilling in sensitive areas where our drinking water is at risk and I suggested a lot more scientific research be carried out. I just don't believe your negative direction in regard to this issue and blindly say no to something that has yet to be proved one way or the other. Whereas your way is to knock it back irrespective of research. 15000 signatures, in your dreams.
Posted by johne, 11/12/2011 6:07:55 PM, on Illawarra Mercury

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