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WAGE News

Kogan contamination last straw for UCG

Date: 30-Jul-10
Author: Larissa Waters (The Greens)
Concerns by local Kogan farmers that Carbon Energy's underground coal gasification (UCG) plant is responsible for elevated mercury levels in local creeks exposes the state government's recklessness in approving a dangerous experimental industry, which has failed and should be banned, say the Greens.

Gas Watch 91: AGL ENERGY awarded Green Globe Awards - by NSW Government

Date: 30-Jul-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
The NSW Government should be ashamed to have bestowed these awards and the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change should revoke them.

Scott receives promising CSG message from Garrett

Date: 28-Jul-10
Author: Bruce Scott, MP (Nationals Website)
Federal LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott has received a promising response from Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett after he wrote last month expressing grave concerns about the extraction of coal seam gas.

Mr Scott called on the Minister to withhold support for the CSG extraction process until science could conclusively confirm that the aquifers of the Great Artesian Basin would not be significantly impacted upon.

He said the Minister's response showed promise for federal intervention.

Angry producers boo Bligh

Date: 26-Jul-10
Author: Timothy Braban (The Western Star)
ANGRY protestors picketed Premier Anna Bligh's Community Cabinet session in Roma yesterday. Ms Bligh introduced the Community Cabinet meeting as an opportunity to "talk directly to government" and it was protestor Dayne "the frack man" Pratzky who took the Premier up on her offer when he shouted: "You're an embarrassment to Queensland and you should be ashamed."

Gas Watch 90: Liberal/National or Labour? Who will protect the Upper Hunter?

Date: 23-Jul-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
The Hunter Valley Protection Alliance, the Singleton Council, community groups, local doctors and the people of the Hunter Valley want to know the answer to this question.

We currently have next to no protection from the invasion of the fossil fuel industry in the Hunter Valley and the sacrifice by the Government of the beauty of the Hunter Valley to the fossil fuel industry.

No Fracking Way!

Date: 21-Jul-10
Author: Peter Firminger
Pete Seeger at a News Conference on HydroFracking

Queensland coal seam gas, liquefied natural gas ventures under a cloud

Date: 19-Jul-10
Author: John McCarthy (The Courier-Mail)
THE Bligh Government finds itself in a very bad political position over what is looming as a critical economic and environmental issue.

The ruling last week by federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to stall a decision on two massive central Queensland coal seam-to-liquefied natural gas projects by three months was one of two things: blatant politics designed to earn Garrett some Green kudos or a rejection of the State Government's environmental standards.

Either way the State Government looks the loser and the public is less informed about the issue than it should be.

Gas Watch 89 - AGL Energy - Access to your property

Date: 05-Jul-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
AGL Energy has a Petroleum Exploration Lease over land surrounding Broke and Bulga (except the coal mining leases), including over the Broke and Bulga villages.

AGL will knock on your door, tell you they have the lease and that they want onto your land.

During their exploration phase, AGL cannot come onto your land without your written consent in the form of an Access Agreement.

Gas Watch 88 - AGL Energy - Noise Complaints

Date: 05-Jul-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
The noise from the generators used by AGL on their property next to the Broke village is now affecting the village of Broke. And this is only exploration. Many residents of Nelson Street, Broke, which is adjacent to the first well in what AGL would hope to be a methane gas field, are being affected by noise from AGL Generators, inside their own homes, to the extent that the noise at night is able to be heard over the television.

Warkworth Expansion Minutes

Date: 23-Jun-10
Author: Peter Firminger
Singleton Council meeting on Monday, 21 June, 2010 unanimously resolved to support local communities in their opposition against the expansion of the Warkworth Open Cut Mine towards the Bulga village.

Gas Watch 87 - AGL Energy - anticipated industrial complex on prime agricultural land in Hunter Valley

Date: 31-May-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
AGL has no intention of placing a restrictive covenant over any freehold land owned by AGL, nor do we have any intention to do so voluntarily either now or in the future

Living hell for family next to Gloucester coalmine

Date: 31-May-10
Author: Michelle Harris (The Herald)
ABOUT seven years ago Jan Tresidder and husband Bernie bought their dream home in the hills of Forbesdale, on the southern fringe of Gloucester, and moved from Newcastle for a quieter life.
But now they are packing their belongings, after selling to Gloucester Resources to end what they say has been a living hell brought about by potential mining on the town's doorstep and the coal exploration company's acquisition of surrounding properties.

Gas Watch 86 - AGL extends core business to compete with local farmers

Date: 27-May-10
Author: Hunter Valley Protection Alliance
One would have thought that the core business of AGL Energy was, in fact, energy. But no.

Undermined - 60 Minutes

Date: 25-May-10
Author: Peter Firminger
For those that missed the 60 Minutes feature on Coal Seam Methane in the Surat Basin... here is is.

Farmers protest at Cecil Plains

Date: 20-May-10
Author: Doug Parrington (Toowoomba Chronicle)
FARMERS turned out in force at Cecil Plains yesterday to demand an immediate Queensland Government moratorium on coal seam gas exploration and production in the area.

About 400 people and the massing of 54 cotton and grain harvesters and tractors created a strong show of farm power to protest against the intrusion of mining companies on prime agricultural land.

Older

• No New Coal Mine in Gloucester
  20-May-10
• Gas Watch 85 - Minister Macdonald says and offers nothing for the Hunter Valley communities
  10-May-10
• Gas Watch 84 - Local AGL employees treat community and CCC with contempt
  01-May-10
• Health Study
  30-Apr-10
• Community paints a picture of Keneally dam destruction
  24-Apr-10
• Minister to speak up for mining access rights
  21-Apr-10
• Govt backs BHP Billiton, overturns court decision on Caroona coal exploration
  20-Apr-10
• CSG water crackdown too late to impress landholders
  16-Apr-10
• Row over 'Texas oilfield' deep in the heart of Scenic Hills
  16-Apr-10
• After 120 years, Camberwell village common turned over to coalmine next door
  16-Apr-10
• Gas Watch 83 - Minister Ian Macdonald hides behind the Minister for Planning
  14-Apr-10
• Labor MPs 'study' plan
  14-Apr-10
• The importance of regional environmental impact statements
  14-Apr-10
• More mining approved for Singleton despite cancer cluster fears
  14-Apr-10
• Gas plan fuels study plea
  14-Apr-10
• Gas Watch 82 - Queensland Government embarrasses NSW Government with $3.8 million water study
  13-Apr-10
• Coal - A special Report
  13-Apr-10
• Gas Watch 81 - The rape of the Hunter Valley
  13-Apr-10
• Varroville AGL gas project will proceed unless we make a stand
  12-Apr-10
• The Hills are alive with the sound of activists
  12-Apr-10
• AGL gas plant at Varroville sparks protests
  12-Apr-10
• Gas Watch 80 - Danger to ground water in Hunter Valley
  10-Apr-10
• Gas Watch 79 - Hunter Valley Sacrificed by NSW Government
  09-Apr-10
• BHP 'buying time' with court action
  06-Apr-10
• Caroona blockade to be lifted today
  24-Mar-10
• Gas Watch 78 - AGL ENERGY - 'There is no requirement for us to listen to anybody'
  16-Mar-10
• Caroona strikes back in Supreme Court
  05-Mar-10
• GAS WATCH 77 - AGL ENERGY - to drill more holes at Broke and Bulga
  07-Feb-10
• AGL Broke and Bulga exploration Approval and Notice of Drilling
  06-Feb-10
• Geodynamics Presentation
  06-Feb-10
• AJ Lucas Will Have First Half Loss
  02-Feb-10
• Miner up-beat about cutting carbon footprint
  01-Feb-10
• Court blow to farmers fighting Caroona coal exploration
  07-Jan-10
• Gas Watch 76
  22-Dec-09
• AGL Hunter Activities
  14-Dec-09
• Hard decisions must be made if they want the big bucks
  07-Dec-09
• Gas Watch 75 - AGL has nowhere to go, unless we let them in
  02-Dec-09
• Gas Watch 74 - AGL fails regulatory obligations.
  09-Sep-09
• Community Newsletter
  11-Aug-09
• Santos fires up coal seam gas in Gunnedah Basin
  10-Jul-09
• Gas Watch 73
  20-Jun-09
• Gas Watch 72
  17-Jun-09
• Gas Watch 71
  14-Jun-09
• It's no from AGL
  12-Jun-09
• AGL drilling to go on in Hunter
  05-Jun-09
• Safeguarding Agricultural Land and Water from mining
  20-May-09
• Gas Watch 70
  12-May-09
• Gas Watch 69
  27-Apr-09
• Gas Watch 68
  27-Apr-09
• Gas Watch 67 AGL! Methane Gas could Kill the Hunter Valley.
  08-Apr-09
• Cyanide insanity
  08-Apr-09
• Chooks Revenge - Methane on Mangrove Mountain
  02-Apr-09
• Drilling must stop
  27-Mar-09
• Fuel storage tanks blamed for water contamination
  26-Mar-09
• Singleton council goes for Broke on gas
  25-Mar-09
• Anger over test wells
  13-Mar-09
• More unattributed SPIN from AGL Energy (Sydney Gas)
  09-Mar-09
• AGL must sack these amateurs NOW!
  09-Mar-09
• Gas Watch 64 - 'I'm the Enemy' says AGL's Colin Stace
  09-Mar-09
• Drill for Natural Gas, Pollute Water
  07-Mar-09
• George Souris Private Members Statement on Upper Hunter Gas Exploration
  07-Mar-09
• Sydney Gas will be suspended from trading on March 4
  26-Feb-09
• Support for those under threat of mines
  20-Feb-09
• Gas Watch 63
  18-Feb-09
• Controversial Gas Mining Company threatens village
  18-Feb-09
• Hmmm, no comment!
  12-Feb-09
• Follow up letter to Ian McDonald MLC
  12-Feb-09
• AGL Energy up to 92.5% in target Sydney Gas
  12-Feb-09
• Gas Watch 62
  12-Feb-09
• Gas Watch 61
  12-Feb-09
• Letter to Ian McDonald - NSW Minister for Primary Industries
  04-Feb-09
• ACCC Letters from HBGAG
  04-Feb-09
• Sydney Gas shareholders urged to accept takeover
  21-Jan-09
• Sydney Gas backs AGL bid
  19-Jan-09
• Drawing The Line
  19-Jan-09
• $750m Hunter power station plans shelved
  15-Jan-09
• AGL Energy raises stake to take control of Sydney Gas
  07-Jan-09
• Sydney Gas, AGL statements pending - Trading Halted
  23-Dec-08
• Early Christmas present for Millfield residents
  19-Dec-08
• WAGE Tee Shirts
  18-Dec-08
• Estimated Carbon Footprint of Sydney Gas and AGL in the Hunter
  14-Dec-08
• Which is true Mr Lukas?
  13-Dec-08
• The Fault Line 5
  10-Dec-08
• You're the 'tops' SGL- spinning nothing into a web of myths
  10-Dec-08
• Coal Seam Gas In The Hunter Valley
  30-Nov-08
• Valley's $10bn methane gas find
  29-Nov-08
• Yet another SGL Board Change...
  20-Nov-08
• Valley's choice: Gas or the GP
  02-Nov-08
• Gas Watch 53
  17-Oct-08
• The Fault Line 4
  17-Oct-08
• Sydney Gas AGL Core Hole Update
  14-Oct-08
• GAS WATCH 52
  13-Oct-08
• HBGAG Response to 'raising few complaints'
  09-Oct-08
• Hunter drilling 'raising few complaints'
  08-Oct-08
• Sydney Gas Director sells out as price plummets
  26-Sep-08
• Fears Qld gas project will destroy arable land
  09-Sep-08
• Plan to mine coal gas off Newcastle coast
  09-Sep-08
• Danger signs at Broke drilling
  07-Sep-08
• What a weekend!
  07-Sep-08
• In answer to the latest bit of PR released by Sydney Gas
  03-Sep-08
• Sydney Gas Test Well Update
  01-Sep-08
• Hunter residents outraged over methane gas exploration
  22-Aug-08
• So... who was that unmoderated moderator?
  22-Aug-08
• Gas Watch 43 - Sydney Gas simply doesn't care!
  20-Aug-08
• Lee Rhiannon Video
  19-Aug-08
• Residents to fight Wollombi gas project
  19-Aug-08
• Flare-up over gas test well near Broke
  17-Aug-08
• $300 million exploration licence to be granted near Gunnedah
  15-Aug-08
• Who's lying?
  13-Aug-08
• Wollombi residents get drill on gas project
  12-Aug-08
• Gas Watch 42
  12-Aug-08
• Wollombi coal seam methane gas exploration
  09-Aug-08
• Miners to light protest fuse
  08-Aug-08
• Gas Watch 41
  08-Aug-08
• Residents unhappy with gas search
  07-Aug-08
• Response to Mark Harper
  05-Aug-08
• Letter from Mark Harper (General Manager Sydney Gas)
  05-Aug-08
• Gas Watch 39
  05-Aug-08
• Sydney Gas Update on Gas Exploration - 31 July 2008
  31-Jul-08
• Total Environmment Centre on Sydney Gas in Wollombi
  31-Jul-08
• Gas Watch 38 - There is Always a Risk
  30-Jul-08
• Wyong hydrogeological report by Tim Jones as referred to on ACA
  29-Jul-08
• Replies from Kerry Hickey and Joel Fitzgibbon
  29-Jul-08
• Three Sydney Gas Documents
  24-Jul-08
• Similar issues for Liverpool Plains
  24-Jul-08
• Letter to Verity Firth
  23-Jul-08
• Letter to Peter Garrett
  23-Jul-08
• Gas Watch 37
  16-Jul-08
• Gas Bonanza
  16-Jul-08
• Minutes from the second Wollombi Sydney Gas Meeting
  15-Jul-08
• Sydney Gas Update
  11-Jul-08
• GAS WATCH 36
  06-Jul-08
• Mineral exploration - vital to the future of NSW
  02-Jul-08
• Response to my email to Dana Hollis
  01-Jul-08
• Upper House Questions without Notice
  27-Jun-08
• Response to a question at Cessnock Council re Sydney Gas
  26-Jun-08
• Other newspaper reports
  21-Jun-08
• GAS WATCH 33.
  19-Jun-08
• Response to Graeme Gibson from Mark Harper (Acting CEO SGL)
  17-Jun-08
• Gas article in The Herald
  16-Jun-08
• Gas Exploration Update
  15-Jun-08
• A few questions
  14-Jun-08
• Gas Watch 32 (HBGAG) and a response to Andy Lucas (CEO SGL)
  11-Jun-08
• Gas Meeting
  08-Jun-08
• More Useful Documents
  08-Jun-08
• Gas Watch No 31 (HBGAG) and other documents - UPDATED
  03-Jun-08
• Sydney Gas Fact Sheet Extract
  03-Jun-08
• A quote on Drilling
  03-Jun-08
• Sydney Gas to start drilling near Wollombi and Paynes Crossing
  01-Jun-08

Gas-related News from