Opinion: Sorry saga of CSG over in a victory of common sense

A SAD and sorry chapter in our history has drawn to a close with the news Metgasco shareholders have accepted the NSW Government’s $25 million buyback offer.

A SAD and sorry chapter in our history has drawn to a close with the news Metgasco shareholders have accepted the NSW Government's $25 million buyback offer for its CSG licences in our area.

The shareholders will at least get some compensation for their investment and the NSW Government really didn't have any other options after losing a court battle with Metgasco.

There are winners and losers in this saga.

It's a victory for common sense and the vast majority of people who live on the Northern Rivers who voiced their opposition to the CSG industry time and time again.

You only have to look at the signs outside many of the villages and towns in our region to realise they wanted their neighbourhood to be CSG free.

The Lismore council referendum and the results of this year's NSW election further pointed to community opinion.

It was former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who perhaps summed it up best on a visit to the electorate of Page when he declared CSG wasn't appropriate for this area.

Mining in a reasonably higher density area better known for its agriculture and pristine tourism environment never seemed to be a good fit.

But it was this notion of Metgasco never gaining a "social licence" to begin mining that really resonated with locals.

The losers are the landholders, shareholders and Metgasco employees who were prepared to back this industry.