Heating up: Protesters march against coal-seam gas mining
COAL-seam gas miners are heading south in search of wealth, writes MEGAN McNAUGHT
After sparking widespread anger across Queensland and NSW the coal-seam gas debate is heating up in Victoria.
Mining companies are trawling 6.6 million hectares, mostly in Gippsland, searching for gas trapped in coal with another two million hectares being assessed for exploration.
Landholders angry to learn their properties have been marked for exploration will fight to keep the industry out.
A protest meeting, titled Not in My Back Paddock, was held at Modella on Monday aimed at sending "a message to councils and the Victorian Government that coal-seam gas extraction is not acceptable to landholders".
Community groups against CSG mining have been formed in Toongabbie, Forrest, Colac, and Wonthaggi.
CSG mining uses hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" to extract gas, which involves injecting large quantities of water, chemicals and sand into the ground at high pressure.
The practice has prompted fears of contamination of groundwater.
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