THE federal government has been asked to identify the Manning Valley as a priority region for scientific study into the impact of coal seam gas mining on the environment.
Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott, who with fellow independent Tony Windsor secured tighter control of coal seam gas mining last November, has welcomed the appointment of an Interim Expert Scientific Committee on coal seam gas and coal mining.
The committee's first task will be to identify priority areas for scientific study so that decisions on coal seam gas projects are based on independent, objective, scientific evidence. Mr Oakeshott has written to federal environment minister Tony Burke asking for priority status to be given to the Manning Valley and the Gloucester Basin.
"There is significant community concern about the potential for coal seam gas wells to contaminate underground water, creeks and rivers throughout the MidCoast Water and Hunter-Central Rivers catchment," Mr Oakeshott said.
Manning River Times
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