COALITION policies to protect farmland from mining coal seam gas (CSG) are failing and a major turnaround will be required just one year out from the State election.
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That's according to a telephone survey of 1310 NSW adults, conducted by independent agency Logan Research and commissioned by the Our Land, Our Water Our Future campaign.
Three-quarters of people surveyed said farmland needs protection from impacts of coal and coal seam gas – and just 13 per cent of respondents said Barry O’Farrell had done enough on the issue.
- 63pc support a ban on coal and CSG on productive agricultural land
- 75pc think farmland, water and the environment need protection
- 13pc think Barry O’Farrell has done enough to protect farmland
Last weekend, 600 Coonamble residents marched through the streets protesting against CSG.
Coinciding with World Water Day, the march was organised by an affiliation of local land, water and environment groups.
During the day, Coonamble Mayor Tom Cullen was handed the results from a GasField Free survey, which reportedly polled 2051 shire residents, 96pc of whom said they want their land or road free from CSG development.
Local farmer and Lock the Gate spokeswoman Anne Kennedy said “our water, our farms, our futures and our health are more important than the short-term gains overseas investors might make from spreading gas fields across this shire.
"The people of Coonamble and surrounding districts say 'no' to coal seam gas fields.”
However, according to members of the industry, its positive impacts far outweigh any negatives.
"It is instructive that no such marches or concerns exist in regions where the industry actually operates," said Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association chief operating officer, eastern Australia, Paul Fennelly.
"We would encourage people to look at the natural gas industry's strong track record and to keep an open mind about the potential benefits it will bring to new areas."
Our Land, Our Water, Our Future is one of many lobby groups formed recently to pressure government over the impacts of the gas and mining industries.
The group will launch its campaign at The Mint, Macquarie Street, Sydney today.
The launch will be followed by delivery of a 10,000 signature petition calling on NSW Parliament to implement a moratorium on coal seam gas and new coal mines pending independent scientific studies.
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
