Everyone wants prompt government response to CSG Review : #environment @richardsheggie reports

The long-awaited Independent CSG Review The Final Report of the Independent Review of Coal Seam Gas Activities in NSW was released by the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (CSE) on September 30, 2014. The technical, business and academic qualifications and experience of the Chair of the CSG Review, Professor Mary O’Kane, make her eminently suitable to […]

#CSG science provides no easy conclusions: @SavLance75 reports

A year has passed since Steve Ansford tied banners to the boundary fence of his rural-residential property near Tara, Queensland, where they were sure to be noticed by workers travelling to and from Origin Energy’s “Ironbark” coal seam gas (CSG) project site. As far as Steve and his wife Judy are concerned, the questions painted […]

Back to the #leardblockade: report by @RobinMosman

Warwick and I are just home again after taking a group of silver-haired oldies from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society to the Leard Blockade. The plan was that our obvious super-respectability and elder wisdom would look impressive on Facebook, and hopefully add more weight to opposition to the clearing of the Leard Forest for coal […]

Only taking it to the streets will stop #csg: Bob Debus to @RobinMosman #Pilliga

About three years ago, when I first started to become really aware of the threats presented by coal seam gas mining, I happened to meet up with Bob Debus. Some of you will remember him as NSW’s longest serving Environment Minister. Such was his capability that he typically held 4 ministries at any one time. […]

On the turning away: Iris Ray Nunn comments on #leardblockade

It is four weeks since I went into the Leard State Forest and witnessed firsthand the widespread destruction of habitat in return for coal. In truth, I am still hurt, still angry. These difficult feelings tear at me because the desecration of our Earth continues – and I am aware that my existence, albeit simple, is still dependent on the wheel-of-harm.  So what […]

Water under fire: @JeanRoxon reports #Pilliga contamination concerns

[clear]   A group of farmers and councillors met last week in north-west NSW to take a stand against a Coal Seam Gas (CSG) development proposed in the area. Narrabri Shire councillor Bevan O’Reagan said: “We haven’t got a plan B if the water is damaged.” Australian gas and oil producer Santos last week submitted […]

After the CSG boom, Narrabri farmers concerned about the bust: @CarlyWladkowski reports #Pilliga

  Residents of Narrabri, in the northwestern plains of New South Wales, met last week to protest exploratory mining on local farms, and the Santos proposal for the region. Campaign groups, such as Lock the Gate and Greenpeace, have been working with local farmers to co-ordinate efforts against a proposed Coal Seam Gas (CSG) field. […]

Digging up the drama: @1moretalk reports the demise of the Environmental Defender’s Office

By Graeme Gibson  @1moretalk For nearly 30 years Michael and Margaret (not their real names) have lived on their block outside a small north Queensland sugar town. During the sugar harvesting season they put up with a lot of truck traffic, and, being on an unsealed road, a lot of dust. “It’s so thick sometimes […]

#MarchinMarch Katoomba report by @bluntshovels

By El Gibbs  @bluntshovels 17th March 2014 Over 700 people gathered in front of the historic Carrington Hotel in Katoomba on Sunday to protest against the Federal Government, spilling out onto the street. Many hand-made signs featured, with slogans such as “What happened to taking care? Of ourselves, each other, our country”, “It’s not money […]

Same state, different rules: Penny Blatchford @NoCSGGurley asks why some people in NSW get special treatment?

By Penny Blatchford Most Australians enjoy the freedom to make choices about their lives – whom we marry, if we will have children, where we live and where we work. It would seem for people like me who choose to marry a farmer, have a family, live on the farm and make that farm our […]