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A petition containing more than 13,000 signatures calling for a ban on coal seam gas mining in drinking water catchments has been delivered to NSW Parliament.
Stop CSG Illawarra, which set up the petition, handed over the petition to politicians from across party lines last Wednesday – Keira MP Ryan Park (ALP), Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell (Liberal), Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich (Independent), who gave their support and tabled it in Parliament.
The state-wide petition calls on the state government to ban all CSG prospecting and mining in NSW drinking water catchment areas.
Stop CSG Illawarra spokeswoman Jess Moore said the group was pleased to see parliamentarians from all sides receive the petition.
‘‘The protection of our drinking water is just plain common sense, and all politicians should be backing it. We want the land in NSW that supplies our drinking water protected.
Ms Moore said CSG exploration and mining always involved unearthing water that was high in salt and methane, and can contain toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals.
Stop CSG Illawarra, Stop CSG Sydney and Stop CSG Sydney Water Catchment will hold a public forum on the issue this Sunday at St Ives Community Hall, Memorial Avenue from 2pm to 4pm. Guest speakers include 2GB radio host Alan Jones, Ms Moore and the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group’s Peter Martin.