Hope for Farmers, and Tony Windsor over CSG

Grant Norman, at his farm near Spring Ridge on the Liverpool Plains yesterday, says 'we simply don't know enough about the risk' of coal-seam gas exploration. Picture: Peter Lorimer Source: The Australian

GRANT Norman's primary concern about the steady creep of coal-seam gas exploration across the Liverpool Plains in northern NSW has always been the fear of the unknown.   

"We simply don't know enough about the risk that CSG mining poses to the water resources, and to the land itself," said the 46-year-old third-generation farmer.

"With the jury still out as to the dangers, it's just crazy to go ahead with it, given that exploration and mining could do irreparable damage to what is one of the most important agricultural areas in Australia."

The deal that his local member Tony Windsor has done with the minority Labor government - safe passage for the mining tax through the lower house in return for tighter scientific rigour in assessing proposed mining projects - has given Mr Norman some hope for the future.

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The Australian