WORRIED: Left, a coal seam gas drill site; and right, Merriwa farmer Chris Kemp in a field of grain ... he believes research used in the draft land use plan was ‘‘not proven’’.
Hunter farmers and irrigators say rivers and underground water are unprotected and resource exploration inadequately controlled in the state government's draft strategic regional land use plan.
The Hunter Valley Water Users Association has called for tougher regulation of mining and coal seam gas explorers ahead of today's march and rally in Sydney to press for big changes in the government's plan.
The protest will bring together Hunter farmers, environmentalists, community groups, thoroughbred breeders and the wine industry.
Water users association president Arthur Burns said the plan's aquifer interference policy provided little if any controls on exploration and there were too many opportunities for exemptions.
The policy provides for exemptions for state significant mining and coal seam gas development granted consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
"We would prefer there be no exemptions for mining or coal seam gas under any circumstances . . .," Mr Burns said.
Newcastle Herald
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