CSG opposition momentum grows after ABC documentary

Watch GAS LEAK!

The 4-Corners documentary "Gas Leak!" on ABC last week revealed shortcuts and astonishing disregard for process in CSG approvals in Queensland. Since then the news has come thick and fast of growing opposition and an industry increasingly on the back foot - with some CSG producers pulling out of operations in NSW.

If you missed ABC's 4-Corners explosive report on CSG, screened on April 1, be sure to watch it now!

"It was quite frightening that they would consider approving such a project without the basic information that a normal mining project would have been asked to submit, given that this was like six hundred times the size of your standard, large mine." - Industry insider

Have your say on NSW CSG Exclusion Zones

CSG should be banned in drinking water catchments

The NSW government has released a draft of proposed amendments to the Mining State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining SEPP) to implement CSG exclusion zones. The draft is now on exhibition for public feedback until Friday 12 April 2013 and can be viewed here.

The proposed changes provide welcome protection for zoned residential areas and mapped critical viticulture and thoroughbred industry clusters.

However, they do nothing to protect those living on farms and rural properties and fail to provide protection for other vital food growing lands, drinking water catchments and sensitive environmental areas.

For more information on the proposed amendments and how to make a submission please visit Lock The Gate's website.

Huge crowd for Gerringong CSG meeting

Over 350 people attend CSG Gerringong meeting

Over 350 people attended a public meeting in Gerringong last night to launch CSG Free Shoalhaven, the newest group to emerge in the community campaign to stop CSG.

Speakers included Jess Moore from Stop CSG Illawarra; Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham; Justin Field from the Sunrise Project and Caroline Graham from Rivers SOS.

The meeting was initiated to discuss the NSW Government's recent renewal of Petroleum Exploration Licence 469. It covers 3173 square kilometres from Sussex Inlet in the south to Port Kembla in the north, an enormous area and one that includes drinking water catchments.

CSG Free Shoalhaven is calling on the NSW Government to: Withdraw PEL 469; put in place mining and CSG no go zones that protect productive agricultural land, water systems and sensitive environmental areas; and to assist the community to develop a regional strategy that promotes renewable energy solutions for local energy supplies.

Their next meeting is set for Tuesday May 14, 6.30pm in the Nowra School of Arts Hall. For details contact Trish on 0419 124 591.

Special thanks and congratulations to Stop CSG campaigner Ken O'Hara, who initiated the meeting.

Next SCSGI meeting Sunday April 21

Stop CSG human sign at Austinmer beach

The next meeting of Stop CSG Illawarra will take place on Sunday April 21, 11am at Thirroul's Railway Hall. All are welcome so please come along.

This will be an important meeting to discuss the campaign for a CSG ban in drinking water catchments and other plans to protect our land, water and communities.

And don't forget, please join us after the meeting at Ryan's Hotel for lunch and a quiet drink - it's always great to meet people involved in the campaign and get to know each other in a more informal setting :)

CSG in the media

Santos pushes ahead with CSG projects
ABC News, April 10, 2013

Local group forms to oppose CSG plans
South Coast Register, April 10, 2013

CSG still dogged by environmental concerns
ABC Insiders, April 7, 2013

Strong support for Halting CSG
Illawarra Mercury, April 4, 2013

Fracking fails the poll test
Sydney Morning Herald, April 3, 2013

75% of voters oppose CSG
WIN News, April 3, 2013

Business Supporters

Support the businesses that support your campaign! Check out the list of Stop CSG Business Supporters, and please get in touch if you would like your business listed as a supporter.

facebook.com/stopcsg

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Stop CSG Illawarra
PO Box 5022
Wollongong NSW 2520

Call 02 8003 3170