Fears of coal seam gas understood

ROUS WATER acting general manager Wayne Franklin says he can understand why people are scared about the activities of the coal seam gas industry.

He said it was caused by a lack of proper information about the potential effects of coal seam exploration and production.

“There is a lack of information to make a proper assessment, and a lot of misinformation,” he said.

Mr Franklin said he supported the NSW Government's plan to toughen regulations and controls on exploration drilling for coal seam gas, which was announced last year.

However, any changes to exploration licences by the NSW Government should be retrospective so as to include operations already licensed, Mr Franklin said.

Mr Franklin's comments came after The Northern Star asked Rous Water to respond to concerns raised by the Keerrong Anti Gas Squad, a group concerned about the coal seam gas industry, and about the potential risk the industry posed to the region's water supply.

The Shell and PetroChina-ownedArrow Energy is currently conducting exploratory drilling at several locations throughout the Northern Rivers,including Bexhill.

The group is concerned that if the Bexhill site goes into full gas production there is the possibility waterways leading into the Wilsons River may be contaminated.

Water from the Wilsons is pumped into Rocky Creek Dam, which supplies drinking water to Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Evans Head, Coraki, Broadwater, Alstonville, Lennox Head, Bangalow and Woodburn.

Anti Gas Squad member Ian Gaillard said he had many concerns about the industry, but the most serious related to the effects drilling may have on aquifers, the dangers of fraccing, and evaporation ponds spilling into waterways.