Mining and ag can co-exist in Namoi: Hartcher

RESOURCES Minister Chris Hartcher says today's release of the Namoi Catchment Water Study shows mining and agriculture can co-exist.

The study, commissioned in late 2010, attempted to identify any potential impacts on water resources in the catchment as a result of coal mining and coal seam gas extraction.

Included were a number of extreme hypothetical scenarios that far exceed resource activity planned in the region, according to Mr Hartcher.

“Importantly, the Study shows that the collective impacts of coal mining and coal seam gas extraction can be effectively managed without negatively impacting agricultural water use across the region,” Mr Hartcher said.

“Even under the Study’s hypothetical Scenario 3, which vastly overestimates the growth of the resource industries in the region, the estimated impact of coal and coal seam gas activity is not significant."

The Land