Tourism board support moratorium call

THE region’s peak tourism body has called for coal seam gas moratorium.

Northern Rivers Tourism chief executive, Russell Mills, said the organisation’s board had been “monitoring the situation”.

“Late last week the board resolved to support the calls for the moratorium,” he said.

“To us, to have five local councils support it suggests that there is sufficient concern within those communities.

“Coal seam gas mining exploration is something that affects the entire region.

“As a regional tourism body, it is our role and responsibility to protect tourism into the future.”

Mr Mills admitted he had not spoken to any of the gas companies about the issues.

But he said he would be pursuing that opportunity so that NRT could provide “factual information” to its members.

NRT chairman, Cameron Arnold, said the organisation was being cautionary because it wanted to protect the region’s $1.3 billion tourism industry.

Lismore, Ballina, Kyogle, Byron and Tweed Shire Councils and Rous Water County Council have all supported calls for the moratorium, as has Page MP Janelle Saffin.