IN a week where community groups in the Manning and Gloucester regions opposing coal seam gas mining held successful public meetings, the NSW Upper House committee responsible for resources and energy has announced a full parliamentary inquiry into the environmental, social and economic impacts of coal seam gas mining and exploration in NSW.
The NSW Parliament's Legislative Council announced the inquiry in a media release on Friday which stated: "A Parliamentary Committee will investigate the environmental, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas mining in NSW, following widespread concerns from landholders, farmers and environmentalists worried about the affects of this rapidly growing industry. The Committee is currently seeking submissions from interested individuals and groups, with a closing date of September 7, 2011."
It is expected that the parliamentary committee responsible for the inquiry will hold public hearings in October and November to examine the environmental impacts of coal seam gas mining, including the use of hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking.'
The inquiry will be chaired by the Shooters and Fishers Party MP Robert Brown with Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham to be the committee's deputy chairman.
"Substantial reserves of coal seam gas are located in NSW and the potential energy of these reserves is massive. Known reserves of coal seam gas in NSW could power all current NSW residential energy use for the next 181 years," Mr Brown said.
"However, coal seam mining has the potential to affect the environment, particularly water supplies, and whilst it can bring economic and social benefits to communities, it can also raise issues of property rights and property values.
“This inquiry is an opportunity for all stakeholders and communities to provide input into how NSW can balance social, economic and environmental objectives of coal seam gas mining.
“I encourage all people interested in the inquiry to get involved and have their say in front of the Committee."
The Lock the Gate Alliance also published the following comments from deputy chair Jeremy Buckingham, who originally proposed the inquiry, on its website on Friday: "After touring Coal Seam Gas (CSG) affected communities and listening to your concerns about this industry, I brought a proposal for a CSG inquiry to the NSW Parliament.
“I am very pleased to write to you to let you know that the NSW Parliament has agreed to the most comprehensive CSG inquiry ever initiated in Australia," Mr Buckingham said.
"As so many of you are well aware, the CSG industry does not have a social licence to operate. This inquiry is essentially about whether that licence should be granted."
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