Coal Seam Gas: SBS Insight Programme

Coal seam gas - we take a close look at the Darling Downs in Queensland where the industry is most established. We will explore the fear and the facts.

JENNY BROCKIE:  Ruth, I want the start with you. You are a cotton and gain farmer from Darling Downs. You have been approached the about drilling for coal seam gas on your land. How do you feel about it? Do you want the wells?

RUTH ARMSTRONG, COTTON AND GRAIN FARMER:  No I do not want the wells Jenny. The part of the world where we are from on the Darling Downs is some of the of the best farming country in the world and unfortunately what make that area so attractive for farming makes it attractive for coal seam gas but there is a big risk I suppose. We have beautiful black clay soil, great for farming but also these clay soils are very much susceptible to compaction from coal seam gas activity and also if they come into contact with salt which is in the waste water that comes out during the gas extraction process, the soils can be rendered permanently useless and infertile.

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SBS Insight