Successfully engaging communities and managing environmental impacts are crucial concerns for the coal seam gas industry in Australia. And the new Gasfields Commission setup this week has vowed to balance community and environment concerns with the growth of the CSG industry.
The commission will be headed by John Cotter, former Chair of the Surat Basin coal seam gas engagement group. Mr Cotter says the goal of the commission is to ‘restore community confidence’ in CSG, reports The Australian. Cotter was also quoted by ABC News as saying that the commission will be influenced by community input, and not dictated by government policy.
However, the commission has already attracted criticism. Anti-CSG lobby group Lock The Gate Alliance has labelled it a toothless tiger, saying that the CSG industry is not properly regulated.
A half-day workshop on ‘how to successfully engage communities and ensure sustainable development’ will be held as part of the 4th annual Coal Seam Methane World Australia conference in Brisbane, on August 1st.
The workshop will enable gas companies to win community support for their operations, and to work with industry for mutually sustainable development. The Surat Basin’s own Acting CEO, Shane Charles, will lead the workshop.
The Pipeline
Editor's Note: Maybe a good place for a visit ... with some banners, loud voices etc etc
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