The AGL Hunter Gas Project community consultative committee met for the first time last month with Upper Hunter Shire councillor and Scone Chamber of Commerce and Industry member Michael Johnsen representing the local area on the committee.

Cr Johnsen is joined by Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association president Wayne Bedggood from this area.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council is in the process of developing general principles of accountability and transparency throughout the coal seam gas process within the shire from initial exploration to potential extraction and ongoing production.

A key topic of the meeting was the National Water Commission’s focus on appropriate management of coal seam gas developments, consistent with the objectives of the National Water Initiative.

The committee saw that to meet the National Water Initiative objective, the commission recommends that industry, water and land use planners, and governments adopt a precautionary approach to coal seam gas developments, ensuring that risks to the water resource are carefully and effectively managed.

The committee was introduced by AGL and Cr Johnsen believes other companies should follow suite.

Cr Johnsen suggested the council write to Santos and Planet Gas and request the companies establish a community consultative committee as soon as possible.

He also proposed the council write to the relevant state government minister to request any existing gas exploration license holders be compelled to establish a community consultative committee and all future exploration license agreements include a condition of this requirement, prior to any work beginning.

The council voted to take these proactive steps towards more open, relevant and transparent communication between coal seam gas companies and the community.

Cr Johnsen said the hope was that any coal seam gas company looking to secure an exploration license in the shire would introduce a community consultative committee as a base minimum requirement.

“This will help mitigate any potential; adverse impacts and assist in providing opportunity to the shire and its residents to be included and positively influence the process from the beginning.”