Coal Seam Gas - can it get any dirtier?

From: Dr Len Martin

Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 3:29 PM

Subject: Some light Xmas reading

 

Dear All,

we live in interesting times, made infinitely more interesting by the actions of our governments, both State and Federal.

While the Federal Opposition makes climate sceptic comments, the Federal Government acts like a climate sceptic in its lunatic pursuit of coal and coal seam gas exports.

I made critical reference to the Federal Government's White Paper on Energy in my last submission to the Nimbin Good Times - Coal Seam Gas - can it get any dirtier?.

Alas much of the important stuff was cut from the text, including detailed scientific references to fugitive emissions; reference to and detailed quotations from a major critical Australian study of CSG and brief criticism of the Energy White Paper.

So feeling a little frustrated I thought I would send you all the original text in pdf format (CSG can it get any dirtier - read that first); Sydney Morning Herald comment on the Energy White Paper (White Paper Disaster - read that second). The WP can be downloaded from the web - the section on CSG reads like a free-market-dogma hand-out from the industry!

The superb CSG Analysis by Williams et al (CSG-Analysis-Report - read appropriate parts when you can) is attached in full.

And for dessert two short items from The Land dealing with the Gateway Process (CSG loophole fears and Trampled in a gateway crush) - the second of these will certainly resonate with some local farmers.

The gateway panel will comprise three members, "if practicable" one with expertise in agriculture, one with expertise in hydrogeology and  one with expertise in mining and petroleum - and if it's "not practicable"? The Minister can appoint alternate members and these must have expertise in one of the above? The quorum is 2! Check it out it's all up there on the web at

http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Development/Onexhibition/tabid/205/ctl/View/mid/1081/ID/101/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Why don't I trust them?

Will return to the fray  in early January


Happy Pagan Festivals


Len

5 attachments — Download all attachments  

White paper disaster Nov 2012.pdf 70K   View   Download

CSG- can it get any dirtier.pdf 88K   View   Download

CSG loophole fears.pdf 58K   View   Download

CSG-Analysis-Report.pdf 2961K   View   Download

Trampled in a gateway crush.pdf 95K   View   Download

Dr Gavin Mudd presents: "The Paradox of Coal Seam Gas & Groundwater: Impacts vs No Impacts?"

Hi All, 

Please see the invite detailed below, and circulate where possible: 

SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY

LESS Seminar on Thursday 8^th November 2012

"The Paradox of Coal Seam Gas & Groundwater:

 Impacts vs No Impacts?"

A presentation by Dr Gavin Mudd

12.30pm at Y Block (Y204), Southern Cross University, Lismore.

Coal seam gas presents substantial long-term risks to groundwater resources which need to be carefully assessed, monitored and managed. The CSG industry in Australia is less than a decade old and our experience is therefore limited to be able to understand the true nature and extent of long-term risks to groundwater. On the one hand, the industry claim that no impacts have yet been proved from CSG in Australia - but on the polar opposite side communities living in CSG areas are claiming extensive impacts such as polluted water and air leading to major risks of health impacts as well as reductions in groundwater levels. Obviously, both claims can't be valid at the same time. This presentation will provide food for thought for all concerned about the groundwater risks of CSG - community, researchers, industry and government alike.

Dr Gavin Mudd is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash University. His major areas of research are in environmental and resource sustainability, and his numerous publications include papers on mining impacts, water resource modelling systems and the impacts of mining on water systems. He has also written a Chapter in The Ten Commitments - Reshaping the Lucky Country’s Environment.

---

All interested persons are invited to attend.

For further details please contact: ese@scu.edu.au

Kind regards,

Hanabeth Luke

PhD Candidate

School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Southern Cross University

Lismore

TIME TO ACT - METGASCO SEISMIC TESTING IN CASINO

From: GAG Kyogle

Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 7:07 PM

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Subject: TIME TO ACT - METGASCO SEISMIC TESTING IN CASINO

Hi all,

Today's (Friday) protest actions against the Metgasco seismic testing was a successful outing with a large number of protesters in attendance (well over 50 people).

Metgasco will be continuing tomorrow (Saturday) and all concerned citizens are encouraged to attend at Metgasco's office in Casino at 6am. Don't worry if you can't make it that early - but please still come to show that they have no social licence to operate.

ACTION ALERT

Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday Metgasco will be undertaking Seismic Testing in Casino. Between the Sewerage plant on Spring Grove Rd and the Airport.

ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS ARE ALERTED TO PARTICIPATE IN NON - VIOLENT PEACEFUL PROTEST.

Meet at Metgascos Offices : Johnston St, on the left as you enter Casino.

6am Tomorrow (Friday) AND Saturday

If you can only come late look for Marshals to give you information, but STILL COME.

Look for protest action either on SPRING GROVE RD. BRUXNER HIGHWAY OR CASINO CORAKI RD. See Map.

Please come prepared for the day, with water, food and sun protection.

Brings signs and Banners and Community Spirit!

--

____________________________________________
More Information:

• http://www.csgfreenorthernrivers.org/
• http://coalseamgasnews.org/
• http://www.keerronggassquad.org/
• http://www.gasileaks.com/
• http://lockthegate.org.au/
  
• http://www.stoppilligacoalseamgas.com.au/
• http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/coal-mining-and-coal-seam-gas
• http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers/
• http://stop-csg-illawarra.org/
• http://www.ccag.org.au/
• http://bimblebox.org/
• http://ntn.org.au/
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-Against-Coal-Seam-Gas/214606121987465
• http://www.youtube.com/user/csgfreenr/videos

Please let CSG Free Lismore know if you would like your email address to be removed from this mail-out list, thank you.

CSG Free Lismore acknowledges the original owners of our country & the lands on which we depend. 

Untitled.tiff 137K   View   Download

Metgasco Aarow boundaries affecting the Jiggi Valley map

Hi all,

We were going through the latest Kyogle GAG and item  12. Chris Hartcher on the dangers of Coal Seam Gas in 2005.... is worth looking at if your interested in the Metgasco /Arrow boundaries.... splits the valley in two........ the link is  http://www.jeremybuckingham.org/chris-hartcher-speaks-out-on-dangers-of-coal-seam-gas/   ..... then click to view map...... when looking at the zoomed in map use the hybrid version it gives you road names as well as satellite......

When we first became involved with CSG we were led to believe the Jiggi Valley was Arrow..... but  the maps that are out are showing otherwise....

Goolmangar, Koonorigan and Rock Valley are all in the same boat..... please have a look.....

I have attached three maps of gas leases - PEL 445 owned by BNG Ltd; PEL 16 owned by metgasco; and the whole lot over the Northern Rivers Region. These were obtained from the attached  NSW Coal-Seam Gas map.kmz.
If you have Google Earth on your computer and you click to open this file, it will open in Google Earth.

Click on the menu to get the PELs (petroleum leases) and note that it is the lower-listed "Northwest" that is actually the Northeast of NSW!

Click on each PEL to bring up the details - PEL 16 certainly appears to encompass Goolmangar, Jiggi Rock Valley etc. as well as Casino, and to be owned by Metgasco.

Nimbin and Lismore generally are in PEL445 owned by BNG.

With this active version you can zoom in to get precise details - eg., ,Leigh's property etc.

I got to all this courtesy of Don Hall bringing it to my attention, and from Buckingham's web-page.

Further good news will be added soon in shape of damning report on adverse economic effects of CSG export industry in today's SMH.

4 attachments — Download all attachments   View all images   Share all images  

Map of Northern Rivers PELs.jpg 157K   View   Share   Download

Map of BNG PEL 445.jpg 166K   View   Share   Download

Map of Metgasco PEL 16.jpg 185K   View   Share   Download

NSW Coal-Seam Gas map.kmz 1213K   Download

Jiggi Valley Against CSG

Disappointing News of the NSW government giving the go ahead for the CSG industry.

Adam Guise has kindly prepared this response to the latest sad CSG news. Well, we knew it wasn't going to be easy to stop this thing- but please don't
be disheartened-we are clever, respurceful, patient and persistant and we are NEVER giving up- we will stop them if we stay strong, and stay together.

This just makes me more determined, how about you?
Ollie.
Now, over to Adam......
Dear All,

You may be aware of the disappointing news of the NSW government giving the go ahead for the CSG industry.

Here's the official government media release here: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/443123/Proposed-petroleum-exploration-licence-offers-of-renewal.pdf

Here's media reports:

Echonetdaily report: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://echonetdaily.echo.net.au/metgasco-gets-production-licence/

Northern Star: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/09/11/nsw-govt-gives-metgasco-green-light/

The Australian: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/barry-ofarrell-opens-the-door-to-csg-industry/story-fn59niix-1226472155218

ABC: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/coal-seam-gas-green-light/4257320?section=business

Sydney Morning Herald: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.smh.com.au/environment/entire-state-up-for-grabs-in-coal-seam-gas-and-mining-rules-20120911-25qnj.html

Metgasco announcement: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.metgasco.com.au/files/1145729.pdf

The most significant outcome is the decision to renew 22 coal seam gas licences, including Metgasco's PEL 13 & 16, and issue a production licence (PPL) which will allow Metgasco to go ahead with extensive drilling operations to supply its proposed power station.

Coupled with this is the release of the government's proposed policies to regulate the industry: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.nsw.gov.au/strategicregionallanduse

Key critiques of these policies remain:

> it ignores the 87% poll vote opposed to coal seam gas in the Lismore LGA and other actions throughout the State, significantly the Fullerton blockade

> it does not provide for "no go zones", therefore leaving most land open to coal seam gas mining through a gateway process

> fracking ban has been lifted

> leaves proposed strategic agricultural land unmapped

> policies are not legislation, so are therefore not mandatory

For Lock the Gate’s response, see this media release: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://coalseamgasnews.org/2012/nsw-goverment-throws-the-northern-rivers-communities-to-the-csg-wolves/

I encourage you to phone and email the following politicians and voice your opposition to this industry going ahead in the Northern Rivers:

Premier Barry O’Farrell   office@premier.nsw.gov.au     9228 5239

Minister for Resources and Energy, Peter Hartcher       office@hartcher.minister.nsw.gov.au  

9228 5289

Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard     office@hazzard.minister.nsw.gov.au   (02) 9228 5258

Minister for Primary Industries,   Katrina Hodgkinson   burrinjuck@parliament.nsw.gov.au, office@hodgkinson.minister.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George, State Member for Lismore  02 6621 3624    lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Don Page, State Member for Ballina   Ministerial Office (02) 9228 3403  office@page.minister.nsw.gov.au     Electorate office  (02) 6686 7522   Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Andrew Stoner    Deputy Premier (02) 9228 5209   office@deputypremier.nsw.gov.au

Chris Gulaptis Member for Clarence    clarence@parliament.nsw.gov.au   (02) 6643 1244



Points worth mentioning:



Ø  the decision to renew Metgasco’s PEL 13 & 16, and issue a production licence fly in the face of this government claiming they haven’t issued any exploration licences since coming to power, when they clearly intended to continue “business as usual”

Ø  the decision to allow Metgasco to go ahead with its operations ignores Metgasco’s previous breaches and unlawful activities (dumping wastewater into Casino sewage treatment plant)

Ø  decision ignores the democratic voice of the Lismore poll showing 87% opposition to CSG

Ø  our landscape, farmlands, roads and towns will become industrialised mining towns bringing all the negative impacts that come with it – high prices, pollution, social division, health impacts



Cheers,

Adam

Local Newsletters

Important blog message about the current situation  http://aidanricketts.com/nsw-government-mere-puppets-of-gas-industry/http://aidanricketts.com/nsw-government-mere-puppets-of-gas-industry/

Regional Day of Action at Murwillumbah - It's important we maximise numbers at this event. 

We need to help them surpass Lismore! Please set yourself a challenge of seeing how many people you can get from your locality to Murwillumbah for this event.

It will be fun.

Emails Sent In By

From: Boudicca Cerese

Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 1:13 PM

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Subject: Northern Rivers Gas Action Now

Dear Friends,

As most of you would be aware the state government this week announced a range of new policies relating to coal and coal seam gas in NSW. These policies fail categorically in their stated aim of providing a balance between mining and gas extraction and other land uses, and the protection of farmland and water resources.

The government has also offered renewals on three exploration licenses in the Northern Rivers- two held by Metgasco and one by Clarence Moreton Resources, and approved the petroleum production lease which allows Metgasco to proceed with their gas field development near Casino.  This action came just days after the Lismore community voted overwhelmingly in opposition to this industry.

It is vital that we let our politicians know how we feel about their capitulation to corporate interests and their abandonment of the people of NSW and our vital land, water and natural areas. Please take the time to write, or even better, ring our local MP’s and government Ministers to let them know how you feel. Please also pass this email on to your networks to maximise the response.

We have included some potential points to include and MP’s addresses and phone numbers below. Please use your own wording and add some of your own additional concerns if possible to make your communication more personal.

Writing and ringing today is the first step in an escalation of our activities to force the government to take notice and act on the concerns of the community. We must continue to do all that we can until they can no longer continue to ignore us.

Working together for a CSG free Northern Rivers,

Boudicca Cerese & Ian Gaillard

Co-ordinators, Lock the Gate Northern Rivers.

Key issues with licence renewals/lease approval:

·         They ignore the range of failings and breaches in Metgasco’s exploration operations to date including: wells leaking methane; drilling fluids dumped in unlined ponds, holding ponds operated under an expired consent; wastewater carted illegally to the sewage works; several fines for non-compliance with their exploration licence; breach of their exploration licence by undertaking exploration operations without an approved Wastewater Management Plan.

·         They ignore the 87% poll vote opposed to coal seam gas in the Lismore LGA and the 30 + local communities across the Northern Rivers that have declared themselves Gasfield free following door to door community surveys of residents.

·         The renewals/approval have been granted before the government has made a formal response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into CSG and addressed all the recommendations in the final report.

·         CSG production has been approved prior to any application of the strategic land use policy in the region, including mapping of strategic agricultural lands.

 Key issues with the policies:

·         The fracking moratorium has been lifted even though the Parliamentary Inquiry Report (Recommendation no. 9) recommended it remain in place until all fracking chemicals had been properly assessed by the national chemical assessor.

·         The concept of 'no-go' zones has been abandoned.

·         Mapping of Strategic Agricultural Land has increased but the gateway process has been weakened.

·         The Aquifer Interference Regulation has been downgraded to a policy with no legal teeth.

·         There is no Aquifer Interference Approval required for CSG activities.

·         The Minister for Primary Industries and the NSW Office of Water have been relegated to a purely advisory role in the Aquifer Interference Regulation.

·         Requirements for cost-benefit analysis and a public interest test have been made voluntary

·         Mapping of high conservation value areas has been dropped.

·         There is no certainty for communities affected by CSG exploration.

·         There is no protection for drinking water catchments.

·         Water resources, farmland, natural assets and communities are all at risk from this policy.

·         They break key election promises from the government to protect land and water from mining, undertake  cumulative impact assessments, ensure triple bottom line assessments, and mandate public interest tests and cost-benefit analyses.

Politician’s Contact Details:

Premier Barry O’Farrell 

office@premier.nsw.gov.au     ph. 02 9228 5239

Andrew Stoner    Deputy Premier

ph. 02 9228 5209   office@deputypremier.nsw.gov.au

Chris Hartcher, Minister for Resources and Energy,

office@hartcher.minister.nsw.gov.au     ph. 02 9228 5289 

Brad Hazzard, Planning Minister,

office@hazzard.minister.nsw.gov.au   ph. 02 9228 5258

Don Page, State Member for Ballina, Minister for the North Coast and Local Govt. 

office@page.minister.nsw.gov.au   Ministerial Office 02 9228 3403

Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au   Electorate office 02 6686 7522 

Katrina Hodgkinson, Minister for Primary Industries, 

 office@hodgkinson.minister.nsw.gov.au  02 9230 3540

Thomas George, State Member for Lismore

lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au  ph. 02 6621 3624  

Chris Gulaptis Member for Clarence  

clarence@parliament.nsw.gov.au   ph. 02 6643 1244

Jeff Provost Member for Tweed

tweed@parliament.nsw.gov.au ph. 07 5523 4816

BLOCKADE CONTINUES, FAMILY FUN DAY PLANNED AT FULLERTON COVE

 Sunday 26th August 2012

Fullerton Cove Coal Seam Gas Blockade (397 Fullerton Cove Rd, Fullerton Cove)

 The Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group is inviting all members of the public to a Family Fun Day this Sunday, at the site of the community blockade against Dart Energy's coal seam gas drilling project.

 The blockade has continued through a fourth day today and two local women at the blockade, Julie Wood and Lisa McDonald, have now been locked to a tractor at the site for more than 24 hours.

"Our family fun day will include rides, music, food, and balloons. Local Fullerton Cove business OFA Showstar will donate a jumping castle and a small Ferris wheel for the event. Osborne is one of many Newcastle and Port Stephens businesses who have overwhelmed us with their support for our cause”, said spokesperson Lindsay Clout.

This is a great opportunity for people to come down and visit our blockade, and talk to the Fullerton Cove residents about the the threat that coal seam gas poses to the community and the environment.

 The public is also invited to attend a talk on the impacts of CSG tonight, at 7pm, at the blockade site. “Peter Martin, former CEO of Rothschild Australia Asset Management and now convenor of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group, will visit the blockade site tonight to discuss his recent tour of United States, where he witnessed first hand the toxic legacy of the coal seam gas industry.” said Clout.

 This issue is much bigger than Fullerton Cove. Coal Seam Gas has left a trail of destruction in the United States, and will do so in Australia if State and Federal governments continue to ignore community demands,” said Mr Clout.

 The support for our blockade has been huge. Every day dozens of new people visit the site. Every day we get more donations from businesses around Port Stephens and Newcastle.

 We would like to thank the following businesses for their valued support during the week: Stockton Family Meats, Rudders Cottage Bakery Stockton, Stockton Family Fruits, Browns Butchers Raymond Terrace, McDonalds Williamtown, Stockton IGA, Metro Garage Williamtown, Hunter Organics, Natural Tucker, The Fresh Ingredient, Merewether Food World, Festival IGA Stockton, Domino's Pizza Raymond Terrace, Hunter Meat Wholesalers Stockton” he said.

Further comment: Lindsay Clout – 0437 300 377

Dear friend,

 

This is a crucial time for the future of NSW.  Recent information suggests that a final decision by the NSW Government on future control and regulation of coal and gas mining is imminent.  The community has called for proper protection of productive farmland, bushland and water resources, but there are real fears the final policy will simply allow open slather for destructive coal and gas mining.  Make sure your voice is heard by your politicians on this matter today.

 

Please contact NSW National Party Leader Andrew Stoner and other key members of the NSW Cabinet this week to ensure they hear from you in these critical decision making stages. 

 

Speaking points:

 

Any released land use plan must have areas off limits to mining and gas exploration and mining activities. These off limits areas must include our agricultural land, bush land and all 'Tier 1' biodiversity areas, our drinking water supplies, floodplains and underground aquifers.

 

Offsets and the proposed 'gateway' process does not adequately protect our key natural assets. We need clear 'no-go' certainty for farmers and threatened species  at risk of mining impacts.

 

Any plans for additional mining in NSW must only take place after the NSW Government develops a strong and well-resourced monitoring and compliance regime for mining and gas activities to protect human health, unique flora and fauna, and water and air quality.

 

The NSW Government must provide landholders and local communities with the right to say 'no' to coal and gas developments and ensure that all of the long-term social, financial and environmental costs of mining are quantified.

 

Proper health impact assessments should be required before any coal or gas mining is approved.

Newman government must act on Western Downs health crisis

Press Release: Newman government must act on Western Downs health crisis

Residents on the western Darling Downs last night were lodging bitter complaints with the Queensland Environment Department after a temperature inversion on the Downs brought gas from local coal seam gas operations into their community, making people ill.

Residents of the Tara residential estate are complaining this morning of having spent the night with severe headaches and nausea and are directing their concern at the nearby Kate coal seam gas field.

Lock the Gate Alliance president, Drew Hutton, said residents in the area were attempting to work cooperatively with government to address the health issues associated with living in the middle of a gas field but were becoming increasingly desperate as they watch members of their families experiencing chronic health problems such as nose and ear bleeds, headaches, nausea and sleeplessness.

The noise from nearby machinery was also causing many to lose sleep at night.

"The Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg, must immediately order a health study into these issues," Mr Hutton said.

Ian Gaillard of Northern Rivers Lock the Gate Alliance  said  Northern Rivers residents will be exposed to the same public health risks as Tara Estate residents.

"With temperature inversion a regular feature of our climate, gases from venting and flaring are held in valleys  and close to the ground by such inversions. If gas exploration and production is allowed to go ahead in our region, those living nearby will be forced to breathe the toxic byproducts of this so called clean natural energy source."

"This is a particular issue with already approved projects such as Metgasco's Casino Gas Project adjacent to the RV village in Casino, and Red Sky's Talma pilot production well which is right next to a dwelling on the Summerland Way south of Casino. Arrow/Shell/Petrochina still looms with a planned core well  between Casino and Kyogle.

"The air pollution hazards of this industry need to be urgently considered by the NSW government following these latest reports from Queensland."

"This polluting industry should not be allowed to go ahead in closely settled areas like the Northern Rivers," he said. Contact: Drew Hutton 0428 487 110  Ian Gaillard 0431 108 784

Tara resident Brian Monk who says his family is suffering from health issues as a result of nearby coal seam gas activities (CSG Free Northern Rivers - Supplied)

6.         AN exclusion zone has been set up following a leak at a coal seam gas drilling site near Chinchilla. Queensland Gas Company says it suspended operations on a drilling rig in the Surat Basin after detecting the gas leak overnight, but it could be days before the problem is solved.

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/05/06/gas-leak-may-take-time-fix/

7.         Coal Seam Gas blamed for health problems

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/07/06/3540381.htm?site=northcoast

 

8.         Queensland Greens spokesperson, Dr Libby Connors says 19 families at the Tara Residential Estate on the western Downs are experiencing serious health problems

http://qld.greens.org.au/content/more-families-ill-coal-seam-gas-fields

 

9.         Red Sky Energy: New partner to ramp up Clarence Moreton gas exploration and development

http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/30876/red-sky-energy-new-partner-to-ramp-up-clarence-moreton-gas-exploration-and-development-30876.html

10.       Carlos would like to remind everyone to keep collecting signatures for the petition. We currently have about 4,000 and are aiming for at least 10,000. If you have petitions to be returned please send them back to PO Box 38 Lismore NSW 2480

11.       THE Federal Coalition is calling for a national scheme to help farmers bargain with gas companies over access to their land, raising the prospect of a public register to reveal the millions of dollars flowing to landowners.

Coalition resources spokesman Ian Macfarlane is advocating the national approach after a series of deals to compensate farmers for the "fracking" used to extract coal-seam gas from beneath their land.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/coalition-wants-farm-gas-register/story-fn59niix-1226418336344

12.       Drilling may affect farm insurance.

http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/07/07/drilling-may-harm-farm-insurance-warning/

6 July, 2012 11:16AM AEST

Coal seam gas blamed for health problems

By Samantha Turnbull and Joanne Shoebridge 

 

Queensland doctors have reported seeing patients with health problems believed to be related to coal seam gas activities

The Australian Medical Association's incoming president in Queensland has confirmed several of its member doctors have raised concerns that residents living near coal seam gas mining operations may be showing symptoms of gas exposure.

Queensland Health has issued a statement saying there 'hasn't been an unusual increase in patients with those symptoms' and they're 'working with GPs to establish any patterns of illness.'
AMA-Queensland president elect Dr Christian Rowan said the association was concerned by the reports.
"We've received some anecdotal reports in relation to symptoms that would be consistent with gas exposure like nausea and vomiting, dizziness, throat and nose irritation those type of things," he said.
"Members of our organisation are general practitioners and some of those members have reported back to us having had patients present with these types of symptoms who are living near areas where there's CSG exploration occurring.
"We believe the public needs to have confidence in this industry, so that is concerning from our perspective."

Sick families

Brian Monk is a land owner from Tara in southern Queensland and believes health problems in his family are a result of coal seam gas activities near his property.
He said they've experienced nose bleeds, burning and irritated eyes, skin rashes, headaches, coughs, difficulty breathing and dermatitis.
One of his grandsons has also had inexplicable seizures.
Mr Monk said more than 20 families who live near him said they had been affected in the same way.
"Wherever this industry has been done over the world these are the same symptoms that people have complained about and it's interesting that none of these symptoms existed prior to coal seam gas ramping up out here," he said.
Mr Monk said he had reported the symptoms to relevant authorities, but had not heard of any investigation into the link between coal seam gas and health issues.
Dr Rowan said he believed the Queensland Government began investigating the issue in June.

Santos Clean-up to Cost 10 Times More

Australian oil and gas giant Santos is facing a tenfold cost blow-out in its clean-up of the world's largest mud volcano in East Java, a new report shows.

The study says the only way to mitigate the disaster resulting from a drilling incident in May 2006 is to transport the mud 14km to the ocean to create a wetland.
The UN Environment Program and AusAid conducted the study, which has been leaked to Fairfax newspapers.
Santos, which has yet to admit liability, has been accused of downplaying the severity of the disaster. The report estimates clean-up costs to be $830 million - 10 times higher than Santos has revealed to the stock market. Total economic losses from the mudflow so far is estimated at $3.4 billion.
Tim Lindsay, director of the Asian Law Centre at Melbourne University, said most of the public does not understand the magnitude of the problem.
"If the projections are correct, it will be catastrophic for any company held responsible," Professor Lindsay told Fairfax.

This article from channel 9 news 

06:15 AEDT Mon Sep 15 2008

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/631255/santos-clean-up-to-cost-10-times-more

The Coal Seam Gas Rush

 You Must Check Out This Latest Report 2012-2013  Click the Link Below...

CSG Health Risk Management Tools - Dr W Somerville.pdf 514K   View   Download

The Coal Seam Gas Rush

Updated April 05, 2012 17:27:47

Produced by ABC Radio Multiplatform & Content Development, and presented by ABC News Online.

Coal seam gas has emerged as a major industry in Australia in little more than a decade.

The scale and speed of its growth has been nothing short of astonishing: billions of dollars have poured into regional areas; new jobs have been created; state and national coffers have swelled; export contracts have been signed and sealed; massive liquefied natural gas facilities have been approved for construction at regional ports.
Farmers fear they are losing control of their land. Miners and some politicians say coal seam gas offers a much greener energy choice. Environmentalists and other politicians have cast doubt on those claims.
The ABC's data journalism project 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.

Quick guide

• How is coal seam gas mined?
• How does fracking work?
• What is the gas used for?

Did you know:

• it is estimated there will be 40,000 coal seam gas wells in Australia
• conservative estimates suggest coal seam gas wells could draw 300 gigalitres of water from the ground each year?
• the industry could produce as much greenhouse gas as all the cars on the road in Australia?
• modelling suggests the industry could produce 31 million tonnes of waste salt over the next 30 years?

Coal seam gas and you

The ABC has produced the most comprehensive map of Australia's coal seam gas activities made so far.
Use the search tool to find gas wells in places of interest to you, and zoom in on Queensland and New South Wales to explore the full extent of coal seam gas mining in the Great Artesian Basin.
Click on individual wells to see their status, depth, the name of the company that owns the well, and exact geographical coordinates.
Click on the 'leases' button to see where coal seam gas companies have the right to look for more gas.
(Note: Data collected and provided by government authorities does not disambiguate coal seam gas wells from conventional gas wells and some other activities. There is no data set from government or industry that provides that level of detail. Therefore, some of the wells shown on this map may be conventional gas wells, core holes, stratigraphic or chip holes. The map reflects the most current and accurate data on coal seam gas activity that was available from government agencies at the time of publication.)

 To Get The Full Picture Go To    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/coal-seam-gas-by-the-numbers-map/3664318   to view the map  to see what is coming up

Water, salt and carbon in the coal seam gas future

By ABC Rural staff

Wednesday, 23 November  2011

The site also examines claims that coal seam gas is a clean energy source.

The CSG industry has consistently argued the production of gas from coal seam is a cleaner source of energy compared with coal.

However the ABC's information, sourced from an environmental impact statement (EIS) produced by Origin Energy, indicates that Santos, QGC/BG International, Shell/Arrow Energy and Origin/Conoco Philips could produce 39.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year.

ABC researchers calculate those emissions estimates, from the Origin Energy report, nearly equal emissions produced by the 20 million private vehicles in the country and exceed the emissions from coal production.

But the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, (APPEA) stands by its message that CSG is a cleaner source of fuel.

APPEA commissioned research company, Wolsey Parsons to look at the emissions from coal seam gas and compare them to coal.

Rick Wilkinson from APPEA says it shows there's an 87 percent improvement using CSG compared to coal to generate electricity.

Mr Wilkinson says substituting coal for CSG in the production of electricity, will benefit the world by reducing emissions by four tonnes for every one tonne of emissions produced by gas.

"I think the benefits of gas over coal are very clear and the degree to which we can replace coal with gas, whether it's in Australia or overseas, is going to be a good thing."

Policing coal seam gas development

New South Wales' capability to regulate and police its burgeoning coal seam gas industry is coming under scrutiny.

The ABC investigation found Queensland had 18 inspectors to audit the compliance of coal seam gas and mining in 2009, and last year a team of 35 was added.

It also reveals compliance breaches were only discovered on 'unscheduled' site visits.

The effectiveness of Queensland's regulation of the industry is being examined as the number of coal seam gas proposals continues to increase in New South Wales.

The New South Wales Farmers' Association President Fiona Simson says the officers must not be confined to a desk.

“It totally depends on how these people are doing the enforcement and how they are doing the audits.

“I would say that landholders in Queensland don’t have confidence at the moment that the audits are being carried out satisfactorily,” she said.

Ms Simson says if there are six compliance officers for mining and coal seam gas in New South Wales it may not be enough.

“It’s extraordinarily hard to find out how many officers there are on the ground and where these officers are stationed.

“It raises huge concerns to us that if there are only six officers in the state the actual amount of compliance that is going on.”

  
Click Here to find out more  http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3373965.htm


You Must Check Out This Latest Report 2012-2013  Click the Link Below... 

CSG Health Risk Management Tools - Dr W Somerville.pdf 514K   View   Download

Coal Seam Gas Project Leaves Kingaroy in Limbo

Coal seam gas project leaves Kingaroy in limbo

• by: Paul Weston
• From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
• July 25, 2010 12:01PM

DUST-UP: Wendy Buttsworth (with children Bailey and Renae) wants the gas trial stopped. Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
 

THEY call it "the bastard on the hill" – a neighbour they cannot see, an enemy working in the burning light underground that threatens the future of Queensland's richest farming land. 

For the cattle and crop farmers toiling in the red soil just 7km south of Kingaroy, Cougar Energy's pilot underground coal gasification project on their properties remains a mystery.
When the mining company moved in with the blessing of the State Government in 2008, the farmers had little choice but to stand aside, watch and pray that their fertile food bowl – and its precious natural supply of underground water – would be left unscathed by the radical gas trial.
Gasification involves finding an underground coal seam and setting it alight. The resulting gas is captured and converted into fuel for energy use.
The farmers around Kingaroy claim Cougar Energy has kept them in the dark about the project.

Shortly after the drilling tests began, one farmer reported that the bore water in his tank and stock troughs had turned bluish in colour.
After repeated denials from Cougar Energy and Department of Environment and Resource Management inspectors that the water had been contaminated, it was eventually revealed that tests had, in fact, discovered the cancer-causing chemical benzene and toxic toluene in groundwater samples. As a result, Kingaroy farmers are now temporarily banned from selling their cattle.
As Damien O'Sullivan struggles to see the distant lights of the facility south of his property, his thoughts are clear about the Government's trial with what Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson calls "interesting and somewhat exciting technology".
"We haven't got any confidence in the safety of our water now," Mr O'Sullivan says. "At the moment no one in this 2km exclusion zone around the plant is selling stock.
"You can't put any investment in your property. We don't know what will happen with this process. It's made properties in the area totally unsaleable.
"There's a company that has ruined everyone's land value and put a question mark over the viability of the Burnett (region) and put stress on a lot of families."
When the Government finally sounded the poison alarm on July 16, Mr O'Sullivan's neighbour Wendy Buttsworth moved quickly to save her cattle from harm.
Her husband, Mark, was away in Cloncurry at the Stockman's Challenge, which left Mrs Buttsworth, daughter Renae, 10, and son Bailey, 6, to muster their stock to a safer paddock.
"We've got 70 head and 10 heavily pregnant broodmares. We did that on horseback. It took us a good couple of hours," Mrs Buttsworth says, smiling at the memory.
These fifth-generation farmers, working more than 260ha of land, are used to overcoming nature's challenges, but are grim-faced about a future clouded by gas-technology trials on three separate western Queensland sites.
"What concerns me is the lack of community consultation," Mrs Buttsworth says. "There's been none before this was given the green light. It's been horrendous for us.
"The first I learned about it (the poison scare) was on the Friday and I haven't had a call from any (government) officer until today – seven days later."
Council economic analysis shows South Burnett's rural industry is worth more than $200 million a year, of which $150 million is from livestock.
Peak farming group AgForce estimates agriculture at Chinchilla, where the two other gas trials are being conducted – by Linc Energy and Carbon Energy – contributes more than $100 million a year to the state's economy.
"The South Burnett is one of the most productive and generous farming areas in the state," AgForce president John Cotter says. "They have high-value produce – navy beans, soya beans, corns, peanuts."
Not surprisingly, the Queensland Resources Council wants all concerned "to take a cold shower" – difficult if you are using bore water – and wait for further test results as the future of the multibillion-dollar gas sector is on the line.
But concerns about the impact of the coal trials and risks to the rural industry will be relayed by Mr Cotter to the minister, Mr Robertson, at a community Cabinet meeting in Roma today.
Industry insiders fear a widescale ban will target beef from the gas regions, leading to a shortage of supply at supermarkets and, in the worst instance, a tarnishing of Australia's export brand.
Farmers are required by law to sign a vendor's declaration stating that their cattle have not been exposed to chemicals, which means the chemical scare leaves them perched on a barbed wire fence. They cannot be sure their cattle have not been exposed to contaminated water and if they sign they risk the threat of future prosecution if the beef turns out to be damaged.
"Both the companies and the Government have got to give the maximum effort, which the Government is doing at the moment, to ensure that the future of these people is the highest priority and that they are not left in limbo," Mr Cotter says.
"The other issue – if there's been an economic loss to these people – there has to be consideration given to compensation."
AgForce also cautions the alarmists about what might happen at the future sales gate, contending that "the potential for crop contamination should be zero" and the current monitoring program should ensure no further poisoning of supplies of water to cattle.
However, the Burnett region is already suffering a hit to its pristine reputation, with potential tourists telephoning John Bjelke-Petersen, son of former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, asking if water at their holiday lodges was safe to drink.
Nanango Independent MP Dorothy Pratt has been closely monitoring the issue since January and, while she is maintaining that the township's water supply is safe, she is worried.
In a letter to Premier Anna Bligh on July 16, a day after the issue was debated at Estimates in State Parliament, Mrs Pratt asked why it took four weeks for the Government or Cougar Energy to reveal the contamination.
"Why was the community put in possible jeopardy for that period of time?" Mrs Pratt asked in an email to the Premier.
Cougar Energy had been open and informative and built up some trust in the community by creating a consultative group, Mrs Pratt argued.
"If Cougar Energy's monitoring recorded an issue on 16/6/2010 and if the Government knew on the 30/06/2010, was there a cover-up by both Cougar Energy and government? Was there an intention not to inform those at most risk of this breach as it would appear to be?"
Mr Robertson admitted at a public meeting it was a mistake not to alert residents but, when questioned by Mrs Pratt, refused to discuss compensation.
"The first stop is not one of compensation; the first stop is rectification," he said.
After initially considering the project and offering 98 per cent support for it, Mrs Pratt wants the plant shut down.
"Obviously the process has failed, the company has failed and the government has failed to monitor sufficiently to protect the community. They can pack their meccano set and leave," she said.
Cougar Energy executives are reluctant to fuel the debate any further, and add to a statement on the company's website that notes the health and well-being of the Kingaroy community remains a priority.
"The evidence provided by independent testing data confirms there is no spread of contaminants into the water supply, nor is there any threat to the water supply in the local community," the company said.
Company directors were reassessing capital needs in the light of requests from DERM and looking forward to "re-ignition of its pilot burn".
For veteran environmentalist Drew Hutton, who is working with concerned farmers, the next battleground is the federal election with his Friends of the Earth group about to survey candidates on their position on the state's coal seam gas industry.
"This is technology that should never have been allowed to go ahead in the first place, and the Queensland Government is foisting it on the people of western Queensland," Mr Hutton says. "They can't say no to a mining company. They never have."
westonp@qnp.newsltd.com.au 

You Must Check Out This Latest Report 2012-2013  Click the Link Below... 

CSG Health Risk Management Tools - Dr W Somerville.pdf 514K   View   Download