Gov't catch-up on coal seam gas

THE Queensland Government is continually scrambling out new legislation on coal seam gas (CSG) extraction in what’s been termed a game of “catch-up”.

In a weekly occurrence, the Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson, is issuing press releases trying to shore-up the confidence of farmers and people living in the Surat and Galilee Basins.

In a move to quell local concerns, Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government is creating the Surat Basin CSG Consultative Committee.

“These new consultative committees are being established to formalise discussions already under way between government, companies and communities in the Surat Basin,” Mr Robertson said.

“It’s all about building relationships and trust.”

Friends of the Earth campaigner in the Surat and Galilee basins Drew Hutton said it’s just a PR exercise.

“The government and the gas companies are desperately trying to play catch-up by treating the community a little better than they have in the past,” Mr Hutton said.

“We don’t need communication between the Government, gas companies and farmers; we want them to tell us how the impacts are going to be adequately addressed.”