Coal Seam Gas remains under Wollombi
Gasland
© Josh Fox
Date: 15-Jan-11
Author: Sean Gough
AGL retains the licence to explore for Coal Seam Methane Gas in the Wollombi Valley and elsewhere in the Hunter Valley. The focal point of their gas field development is at Broke, just 22 kms away as the crow flies, which puts Wollombi and Laguna well within the scope of a developed gas field. AGL has purchased significant parcels of land in and around Broke in order to begin installing production wells.
According to AGL, about 3,000 wells have so far been drilled in Queensland where currently there are plans for a further 25,000 to 40,000 wells. These wells are generally spaced at 600 metre intervals with all the associated infrastructure such as fencing, pipelines and roads. The potential for major environmental pollution and disruption to existing amenities and lifestyle is irrefutable.
As it stands, NSW law gives the company holding a production licence the right to enter your property to develop a gas field regardless of whether you want them to or not. You do have the right to stop them during the exploration licence phase, however it only takes one landholder to give them access and set the ball rolling.
You will most likely have seen the increasing media coverage of Coal Seam Methane Gas fields in other parts of Australia and particularly in Queensland. The people there are desperately trying to halt this cancerous development by international corporations across their country, crippling livelihoods, destroying property values, ruining health, polluting water tables and rivers, draining the Great Artesian Basin, excising agriculture, for ever devastating this country without heed for Australia's future and all at the behest of our governments.
Glib, empty promises of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars fill the airwaves, but at what cost- Long after those companies have packed up their equipment and disappeared, this country will be ruined while our political leaders will have long retired with their pensions. Who to point the finger at then- Us.
We are privileged to be living within a democratic system, this privilege is what many of our forefathers died protecting. With this privilege comes a mutual responsibility. It is more than simply casting our vote at each election. We have a responsibility to make sure our elected officials, the politicians, act in our best interests. For that to happen, we have to make sure we fully understand what is going on and demand the changes that must be made.
The internationally acclaimed film "Gasland" provides a frightening understanding of what does happen when Coal Seam Methane Gas fields are developed. Will and Cate Sadler have very kindly agreed to show the film in their hall on the evenings of the 29th and 30th January. This will include a presentation followed by a question and answer session.
Seats are limited and we will be asking for voluntary donations toward the cost of hiring the film.
Register your intent to attend at Wollombi General Store.
Sean Gough
WAGE
Gasland
Venue Wollombi Dance Hall
Dates Saturday 29th January
Sunday 30th January
Doors open 5.30pm
Seats limited
