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
"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 ( - 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.
7. Coal Seam Gas blamed for health problems
8. Queensland Greens spokesperson, Dr Libby Connors says 19 families at the Tara Residential Estate on the western Downs are experiencing serious health problems
9. Red Sky Energy: New partner to ramp up Clarence Moreton gas exploration and development
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.
12.
Drilling may affect farm insurance.
http://www.northernstar.com.
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