May 21 2013
Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas
21 May 2013
Media Release
Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas
A broad range of farmers and community members concerned about the impacts of new mining and coal seam gas proposals across NSW North West are expressing their support for the Gomeroi Native Title claimants in their recent stance to halt all mining in the region.
The Gomeroi Native Title claimants are the latest group to publicly oppose coal seam gas in the North West, joining a range of farmers, town residents, conservationists and Church Ministers in the battle.
“I have the greatest respect for the stand made by the Gomeroi people, working to make sure this magnificent land remains healthy and capable of supporting humans, and also fauna and flora,” said Tambar Springs farmer David Quince.
“The Gomeroi Native Claimants provide a timely reminder to us all to hold reverence to the environment which we and future generations must safeguard,” he said.
“I am delighted to support the stand of the Gomeroi people,” said Anne Kennedy of Coonamble and representative of the North West Alliance.
“In our area, Wun-Gali representatives have resolved to declare a moratorium on all coal seam gas activities on their traditional lands and in the Coonamble Shire until such time as it is proven that CSG activities will not have a detrimental effect on the Great Artesian Basin.”
“We need to ensure our water resources are protected and stop the North West from becoming an industrial gasland. We are all deeply concerned and will continue to work together to protect this region, its cultural heritage and our water supply,” she said.
“Gomeroi people join and strengthen the chorus of voices that want to see a pause on mining and coal seam gas activities in the North West,” said Naomi Hogan of the Wilderness Society.
“There are so many good reasons why mining development needs to slow down, to ensure the community is having a say over the future of the land, and to ensure public health and clean water is being put first.”
“The coal seam gas drilling catastrophe in the Pilliga forest, along with the growing open cut coal destruction in the Leard Forest has fuelled growing concerns for the future of the region if mining continues unabated.”
The Gomeroi calls to halt mining come as hundreds formally object to a proposed Santos coal seam gas workers camp for Gunnedah and over half a million hectares of the Liverpool Plains have been declared gas field free by community vote.
May 25 2013
Media Release – BSAL Protocol means more costs for Farmers
Media Release 14.5.2013
A recent review by an Independent Soil Scientist identifies massive costs could be incurred by farmers to “prove” their land is Biophysical Strategic Agricultural Land (BSAL) under the controversial land use Gateway Process. The review was written in response to farmers requests to analyse another round of “tough new regulations” for coal seam gas instigated by the coalition government.
“The latest BSAL interim protocol introduced by the state government in late April and being advocated by the Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner is simply another loophole to allow gas companies to come on to any farmland in NSW, prime, strategic or otherwise” said Gurley Farmer Penny Blatchford.
“The review shows that in the case study of PEL 470 near Gurley, many, many soil samples need to be taken to prove up BSAL and the cost of sampling and testing would run into the millions of dollars.”
“The community is led to believe that the coalition is protecting farmers and farmland however the gateway process has no power to say no and there is no farming land that is off limits to CSG in NSW”.
The BSAL protocol ignores the important function of grazing land in a healthy catchment and in the economics of the North West of NSW.
“The Nationals need to recognize that 95% of farmers who they claim as supporters don’t want CSG on their land or road and this is being borne out in survey after survey in the North West” said Maules Creek grazier Phil Laird.
“The career politicians in the National Party like Andrew Stoner, are adding further uncertainty, cost and mental stress on landholders in the region. We manage our land for the long term not just for the current generation.”
“It’s pretty simple, we don’t want CSG, it is dangerous to our ground water and soil and there are alternatives sources of gas in Bass Strait. Why risk our food and fibre producing land and the viability of our agricultural businesses for a few short term dollars?”
Review of BSAL Protocol Report from Soil Futures Pty Ltd available:
https://maulescreek.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Review-BSAL-Protocol_Final.pdf
By MCCC • Uncategorized •