news.smh.com.au
July 20, 2011
Farmers are at the mercy of giant mining companies and feel helpless, a Senate inquiry into the coal seam gas industry has been told. Farmers have been forced to become gas and legal experts as they fight to protect their land and water, the Queensland Farmers Federation told the inquiry on Wednesday. QFF chief executive officer Dan Galligan said there'd been no research on the impact the burgeoning CSG industry would have on water bores.
Yet the industry was racing ahead. "The horse has bolted", Mr Galligan told the hearing in Brisbane. "It has bolted out of the paddock and we are all wondering who is going to shut the gate. "Many farmers, like us, feel disempowered". He said there were major concerns about the effects of the industry on groundwater, and no one was sure what would happen with the tonnes of salty water drawn from coal seam gass.
Senator Bill Heffernan said he believed CSG companies had a "cowboy attitude". "We have seen truckloads of stuff dumped on the road with no regard for anyone", he said. "A lot of farmers think money is going to stop the problems but I haven't come upon anyone from CSIRO who understands the water implications. "And no amount of money is going to compensate (for any damage).
The inquiry held hearings in Roma and Dalby earlier this week. Mr Galligan said there must be meaningful consultation between farmers and mining companies. "At the moment there is very little say (given to) the landholder", he told the hearing. He said farmers accepted the CSG industry contributed to local economies. "The issue is not to never have gas, but how can we have it without destroying our farming land", he said. "No environmental impact statement looks at food production". He said the state government was more interested in mining royalties.
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