The New South Wales Senate’s General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5 has published a report into the environmental, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas (CSG) mining in NSW, delivering 35 recommendations for Government action.

 

“A key theme throughout the report is the level of uncertainty surrounding the potential impacts of the coal seam gas industry. More data needs to be gathered to assess potential impacts, and in order to do this, we need to allow the exploration phase to proceed. While exploration and drilling are of great concern to many community members, they are unavoidable if we are to assess whether it is safe for the industry to proceed to production,” said the Committee Chair, Rober Brown said.

 

The report urges a moratorium on all CSG approvals before the Government ensures that all deficiencies in the regulatory framework are addressed. The inquiry also expressed concern over property rights.

 

“With regard to property rights, we found an imbalance between landholders and mining companies with regard to land access. The Committee therefore recommends that the  Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991 be reviewed with a view to strengthening landholder rights and achieving a fair balance between the rights of landholders and coal seam gas operators.”

 

The full report can be found here