27 February, 2015
First leader’s debate confirms coal and CSG as key election issues
Premier Mike Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley have both indicated during the first NSW Leader’s Debate today they wanted to ensure coal seam gas (CSG) developments did not damage water catchments or cause land-use conflicts in NSW.
“The test of this commitment would be bipartisan support for implementation of the Chief Scientist’s recommendation to set aside key water resources and important agricultural land as off-limits to coal and gas mining,” Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“Across NSW, local communities, farmers, and business owners are taking a stand to stop the expansion of the coal seam gas industry in the state’s drinking water catchments and on key agricultural land.
“The people of NSW are sick of broken promises on this issue. The only way forward is for both sides to provide certainty by declaring our water catchments, farmlands and special wild places off limits to coal and coal seam gas mining.
“Mining was the most frequently raised issue in today’s Leaders debate, which means the community expects more action on this issue.
“From the Sydney suburb of Camden to the Central Coast and the Liverpool Plains, the community is demanding the government declare no-go zones where coal mining and coal seam gas development cannot occur.
“Our leaders would be wise to feel the winds of dissatisfaction and finally declare our special places off limits to coal and gas mining.”
On Sunday hundreds of volunteers will take to the streets of the Manly electorate with a community survey asking residents their views on coal and coal seam gas mining.
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Coal and gasNSW Parliament
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