After lengthy discussion and debate the Upper Hunter Shire Council has identified its concerns about the potential land use conflicts between traditional industries of agriculture and thoroughbred breeding and the newer innovation of coal seam gas mining.
While time is ticking on the contentious issue, coal seam gas companies are acquiring more land to carry out exploration drilling.
However, mixed feelings tainted with deep concern have caused the council to start an in depth investigation into the future direction of coal and coal seam gas mining in the shire.
After receiving a presentation from AGL Energy lands officer Ian Shaw and land approvals manager Siobhan Barry on the process of coal seam gas exploration and the company’s intention to explore areas near Merriwa, the council heard from concerned community members.
Save Bunnan committee members David Stevenson, Denis White and Jan Bryan spoke on their concern about the Santos QNT Pty Ltd exploration in the Bunnan area and Merriwa Healthy Environment Group chairperson Graham Brown spoke on Merriwa’s concerns.
The council has also received a petition from concerned citizens of the Upper Hunter shire living in Merriwa regarding the land use issue.
The main concerns highlighted include air and water pollution, the chemicals used, leaking aquifers and de-valuation of land.
The council resolved to support the Thoroughbred Breeders of the Hunter Valley’s 10 point plan of action in principle but will prepare its own submission to the NSW Government in relation to the Coal and Gas Strategy Scoping Paper.
They also voted to undertake a review of the strategic direction and consider the most appropriate course of action in consultation with the community to reduce the potential for land use conflict from coal seam gas mining in the shire.
A public forum will be held with all community members welcomed to discuss the issue from all points of view.
The council believes there are broader issues within the community, shire and state that have not been appropriately considered or assessed in order to arrive at an informed decision that could unilaterally support the plan in its entirety, or a prohibition on both coal mining and gas extraction from the local government area.
While councillors chose to express their concerns on the negative impact of the emerging industry on the shire, Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said the enormity of such a proposal at this point in time to place a blanket ban on coal and gas seam mining in the shire is considered inappropriate without a full appreciation, understanding and awareness of the merits and demerits of such a proposal.
Cr Watts said she was listening and was hearing the people’s concerns, but the council needed to make sure it has all the information on both sides of the issue so councillors can make an informed decision.
The council’s professional staff, with the assistance of the Thoroughbred Breeders Assoc-iation, are working on the development of a map of the shire which seeks to identify potential mine based land use conflict and the establishment of exclusion zones to absorb such conflict.
“The proposed recommendation, to blanket ban mining, stands in direct contrast to the direction and work undertaken in this area,” Cr Watts said.
“It is therefore the opinion of the professional staff that council should step back and objectively review the most appropriate course of action to limit land use conflict from coal and gas seam mining within the Upper Hunter Shire and make its submission accordingly.”
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