Faith in government shattered

Although the government, Dart Energy and AGL have assured me that there will be no activity at Putty over the next couple of months my faith in the government to protect our environment has been completely shattered during 2011 and I will continue to check websites etc for changes.

NSW Government Extends Fraccing Moratorium

Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher today announced the extension of the NSW Government’s moratorium on fraccing until April 2012 pending the completion of an independent review process.

Senate Report into Coal Seam Gas

Senator Bill Heffernan, the Chairman of the Senate Standing References Committee on Rural Affairs & Transport today released the Committee's report on the Impact of Coal Seam Gas Extraction on the Murray-Darling Basin. The report considers the potential impact of the industry on Basin groundwater resources, agricultural land and regional communities.

ABC launches CSG by numbers website

The ABC has produced the most comprehensive map of Australia's coal seam gas activities made so far and has pulled together information from dozens of sources to provide an insight into the promise and the dangers inherent in the coal seam gas rush.

Icons Under Threat - Putty Valley

Yesterday I went to the launch of Icons Under Threat which includes Putty Valley and then I marched from St James to Parliament House with many others to hand over a petition with 20,000 signatures. In the evening I listened to the news hoping to find out if the Mining Tax was passed in the lower house of the Federal Parliament.

CSG in the news

Gruen Planet guest tells how to deal with communities, drilling stops on Liverpool Plains until study complete, National Party fails to vote on its own CSG policy.

Switch to GreenPower

If you are against coal and coal seam gas development show it by switching to GreenPower. If more homes and businesses use GreenPower the energy companies will be forced to invest more money in renewable energy.

CSG Moratorium Bill debated this Friday

The Greens NSW mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham MLC, welcomed the NSW Labor Party's back flip on coal seam gas and their new found support for the Greens' policy and believes their position now makes it possible for his Coal Seam Gas Moratorium Bill to pass the Legislative Council.

NSW Opposition calls for suspension of CSG exploration

Opposition Leader John Robertson is calling on the Government to suspend all current Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses to protect the State's precious water resources.

Is the pendulum swinging?

The anti-CSG movement is gathering momentum as more scientific reports become available and prominent people speak out against it. The media are running stories every day and people are changing their minds.

Gladstone & CSG – 4 Corners tonight

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Thirty years ago, Australia willingly made the Reef a World Heritage Area. That listing was intended to protect the Reef. Any changes to its management, or developments that might affect it, should be notified in advance to the World Heritage Committee.

Petition to O’Farrell on 22 November

A petition with 10,000 signatures will be presented to Premier O’Farrell on Tuesday November 22 at 1pm on the steps of Parliament House. Join other campaigners against the rapid expansion of coal seam gas extraction with your banners and signs.

Destruction in Queensland

Peter Neilsen sends photos and reports from Gladstone. The gas fields are on prime agricultural land near Chinchilla and the building of the LNG plant is destroying Curtis Island within the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef area.

Coal seam gas in the news

Federal independents and Greens call for CSG halt and water studies; fracking is the ‘likely cause’ of earthquakes in the UK; UNESCO concerned that the Federal and Queensland government have breached World Heritage guidelines; energy analyst attacks industry and regulators for failing to conduct independent regional modelling of the groundwater impacts. Links to full articles and to the fracking song.

Landowners blockade Santos CSG project

Landowners from communities across the Liverpool Plains have been forced to take direct action against the mining giant Santos to stop it pushing ahead with ‘pilot production’ of coal seam gas before the potential risks to the region’s iconic water systems are known.

10,000 people at national day of action against CSG

From Cairns in Far North Queensland to Margaret River in Western Australia, from small groups of 50 to mass rallies of 2000, Lock the Gaters rallied on Sunday to celebrate our national day of action. It was a remarkable success with over 10,000 people mobilising to show their support for our campaign to stop irresponsible mining from destroying good farm land, closely settled areas, underground water systems and environmentally sensitive areas.

We Want CSG Advertising Campaign

The industry’s advertising campaign ‘We want CSG’ says that it will bring royalties to the states but in NSW royalties are not due until five years after production starts.

Will the Green Eureka Flag create controversy again?

Fifty Green Eureka Flags will fly in various communities around Australia from 12 noon on Sunday 16 October during the national day of action against coal seam gas extraction.

Putty prepares to defend its water

The Putty community is preparing to defend its water from coal seam gas extraction on Sunday 16 October 2011 at the Putty Hall.

Landmark Court Case begins 17 October

The Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance, with the support of the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), has lodged an appeal in the Land & Environment Court in Sydney against the approval of AGL's coal seam gas project in the Gloucester-Stroud Valley. Members of communities facing the threat of coal seam gas development are urged to attend the hearings on 17, 19 and 20 October.

The Importance of Land Use Plans

Meetings, the importance of Land Use Plans, rapid expansion of coal and coal seam gas industries in the Hunter, CSG Industry’s statistical spin.

Anti-CSG Campaign ramps up

On Sunday I marched with about two thousand people down King Street, Newtown in protesting about approval to drill a core hole in St Peters and about the rapid expansion of the coal seam gas industry in Australia without full scientific risk assessment.

National Water Commission urges COAG to stay the distance on water reform

The National Water Commission has released its comprehensive assessment of water reform progress in Australia, calling on governments to stay the distance on their reform commitments.

Media Release - The Stupid Country

As Dart Energy discovers coal and gas at Putty, 500m from the World Heritage Wollemi National Park, the community launches a campaign to have the area declared a mining and extractive industries exclusion zone.

Have your say: NSW Planning System Review coming to a town near you!

The most comprehensive review of planning legislation in three decades is about to hit the road – the Government appointed review panel is embarking on an exhaustive two-month road trip to ensure the people of NSW are heard. 

Coal and gas found at Putty

Coal and gas found at Putty, licence out of date, legal advice, Putty mining exclusion zone campaign, counter advertising campaign, video links, inquiry deadline extended, petition links

Questions asked but answers unsatisfactory

Last week the media focused on the effect of the mining boom on the economy. This week questions are being asked about why potential property buyers were not told about CSG drilling, what happens to waste water and how did Btex get into aquifers.

Dart prepares to dump NSW?

Is NSW becoming too hard for Dart Energy? After strong opposition to core hole drilling at Putty and angry meetings with Sydney residents where it also has approval to drill, Dart issued an announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange which boosted its flagging share price.

Media release - Poll reveals opposition to CSG

Polling conducted by Galaxy Research has revealed widespread opposition to coal seam gas in Australia and puts pressure on Premier Barry O'Farrell to act to protect the NSW environment and communities.

Why CSG extraction should not be allowed at Putty

A submission has been sent to the Premier, Barry O’Farrell, from the Putty Community Association CSG Subcommittee outlining reasons why coal seam gas extraction should not be allowed at Putty.

Drilling starts at Putty

Drilling starts at Putty, bore water testing, council and RFS not notified, a week of protests, media focus on coal seam gas and Putty.

Media release – Putty protest rally

About 50 people were at a protest against coal seam gas on a private property on
Putty Road on Sunday 14 August.

Media Release - CSG Protest Rally on Putty Road Sunday 14 August

Members of the Putty community and friends will be protesting against coal seam gas on Sunday 14 August from 11am to 2pm. The protest rally will be held on a private property, “Wheeny”, on the western side of the Putty Road half way between Windsor and Singleton and adjoining the property of the proposed drilling site.

Media release - CSG Drilling to start Monday at Putty Valley

CSG Drilling to start Monday at Putty Valley threatening the Wollemi National Park and Hawkesbury Oyster Farmers

Impacts of coal seam gas to be investigated

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 7th September 2011.

Putty goes to Leichhardt

On Monday night a group of 15 Putty Valley landholders and residents attended a public meeting hosted by The Greens at Leichhardt Town Hall. Over 300 people crowded into the hall to hear from coal seam gas mining company representatives and a variety of people who oppose them.

Drug Raids and Meetings

Putty drug lab arrests, meeting with Singleton Council reps and Hawkesbury Environmental Network.

The following is a letter sent to the Premier from Keith Muir, Director, Colong Foundation for Wilderness. Please send letters to the Premier and your local member if you object to coal seam gas extraction at Putty.

NSW Government media release on CSG & The Green's response

The NSW Government's 'tough new rules' for coal seam gas exploration and mining do not go far enough say The Greens and I agree.

Fighting CSG

Submission writing, media reports, money questions asked and production water questions answered, mining company takeovers and advertising, and more links.

The CSG Roller Coaster

CSG Executive on Reserve Bank Board, research to support development of CSG, objection to development of Narrabri-Coonabarabran gas field and LNG plant at Newcastle.

Test well 530m from National Park

Test well to be drilled in mid September 530m from Wollemi National Park, secrecy around documents, question for the Premier, National Water Commission statement, Claytons moratorium

A letter from France where fracking is banned

Please write to your MP and express your outrage that CSG mining is being approved in NSW when it is reported to be harmful to the environment. The following is a letter from France to Clover Moore.

Approval for CSG exploration in Putty Valley

Dart Energy now have approval for CSG exploration in the Putty Valley. At least we now know where it is and the battle can begin and I am fully prepared.

Country & City Unite

Country and city groups unite, CSG Petition, adverse publicity prompts advertising campaign, warning for small rural communities, Origin explains why they have no PELs in NSW and lots of links.

Are you an ethical investor?

Since April I have been tracking the share prices of some of the companies involved in coal seam gas extraction in Australia. To find out more about these companies and other companies involved in coal seam gas see below.

One week, one question answered

It’s over a week and only one question has been answered.

Mining and Advocacy: What you need to know

I recently attended a seminar at Mudgee on Mining Advocacy presented by the Environmental Defenders Office. The key issues are to seek legal advice before negotiating with mining companies, consult with your neighbours and band together as a community. Many aspects will remain unclear until the new NSW Government has reviewed coal seam gas mining in this state. The following are my notes.

Why will no one answer my questions?

After numerous letters and telephone calls to NSW government departments and agencies I have been unable to get answers to the following questions, which are very important to our community.

Is an exploration lease over your home?

Mining advocacy seminar, the week’s leaks and spill, is your home covered by a mining exploration lease – see the map, outgoing Woodside boss sleeps at night because he didn’t get the company into CSG mining.

Department of Planning media release

The Department of Planning has put the following media release on their website.

What's an exploration licence freeze?

The Sydney Morning Heralds article - Exploration licences freeze in NSW gave me reason to hope but on closer inspection it is hard to know what it means. With no media release on the Department of Planning’s website it is difficult to clarify if it means exploration licences or approvals for exploration. As all valuable mining areas in NSW already have Exploration Licences over them a freeze on new exploration licences means little!!!

Environmentalists, scientists and farmers unite

As we wait to find out the NSW government’s plans for coal seam gas (CSG) mining in NSW, an unlikely alliance has formed between environmentalists, scientists and farmers.

Hunter coal, gas and vineyard tour

The first frost for 2011 covered the Putty Valley this week. AGL opens an information office in Singleton and we take a quick tour of mines and vineyards in the Hunter.

Camden gas well tour

Dart Energy reps tell the community that gas wells in Putty will look like the ones at Camden so I go to Camden to check them out, then AGL tells me no one knows what they will look like until after exploration when the geology is known.

Gas is good but do we need to export LNG

Do you know what LNG is? Do you know what is happening in Gladstone in Queensland? Multinational mining companies lower the unemployment rate, build infrastructure and pay royalties making the state and federal governments look good but what is the cost?

Shares and Q&A Transcript

Dart Energy, the company planning to explore for coal seam gas in the Putty Valley, is raising $100 million to accelerate exploration and development. A link is posted to the Q&A session with Dart's reps and the Putty community.

Autumn and things will be alright - or will they?

One government department wants to pay for fencing off the creek from cattle while further down Putty Valley another decides if exploration for coal seam gas mining should go ahead.