Mayor recommends stand against CSG
THE Clarence Valley Council will take a public stand against coal seam gas mining if Mayor Richie Williamson gets his way at tomorrow's meeting.
Grafton
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THE Clarence Valley Council will take a public stand against coal seam gas mining if Mayor Richie Williamson gets his way at tomorrow's meeting.
The mayor has recommended that the CVC "as a matter of social responsibility and in the long-term sustainability interests of the environment and the community, does not support or endorse coal seam gas activities within the Clarence Valley area".
Cr Williamson said even if the recommendation was accepted by his fellow councillors, CSG activities could still take place in the region.
"Despite the council's opposition, it still has statutory responsibilities in relation to planning development applications," Cr Williamson said.
He said a general stand against CSG would still send a powerful message to state and federal gov- ernments that the people of the Clarence Valley had serious reservations about the activity.
"This is about a council reflecting community attitudes," Cr Williamson said.
Both the NSW and federal
governments are conducting their own investigations into the environmental and social issues raised by widespread CSG activities in NSW and other states.
Ultimately, he said, it would be up to these governments that set the final legislative framework on where and what types of CSG activities would be possible.
The mayor also wants the council general manager to inform the council if there are any applications for CSG activities on council-owned land. To date such an application has not been made.
Clarence Alliance Against CSG spokesperson Seanine Cooper congratulated the council on listening to its ratepayers.
"This is a great step in our campaign to save the beautiful Clarence Valley from possible water contamination, damaged roads, land, air and water pollution, human sickness and land value decrease, which are possible effects from coal seam gas mining.
"Contamination in ground water and streams have been popping up in the news for months now. We don't want this to happen to our valley."
The group will host a CSG information night at the Commercial Hotel, Copmanhurst, on Monday, February 27 from 6-8pm.
Originally published as Mayor recommends stand against CSG
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