:

CSG

activists'outrage
ANTI-coal seam gas activists pick-

eted a State Government energy

forum in Armidale on Friday, claim-

promotional event". The invitation-only event hosted about 40 private businesses and featured speeches by gas compa"CSG

ing

it was nothing

more than a

fo*l
ffi,f "w
pose of the meeting, claiming it

&

ny representatives and

Renewable energy providers were not ir-rvited, sparking a protest by Armidale Action on Inn, where the forum was being
held. Coal Seam Gas (AACGS) and related groups outside the Moore Park

State Energy Minister Chris Hartcher.

31,*:.f"o"rse

Armidale Action on Coal Seam Gas spokesperson Carmel Flint saicl she was shocked that the Government was promoting CSG of other energy

"One-third of all energy used in this state comes from gas, so if we don't have the gas, we simply don't

was vital to secure the state's gas supply in the future. "There are one million customers of gas in NSW, so their needs are going to have to be addressed, and it's the role of government to make sure that they're addressed," he said.

own marketing and promotion,"

she said.

"The coal seam gas inclustry is a multi-billior.r clollar industry and it's perfectly capable of cloing its

Mr Hartcher said the Government was committed to

region's energy needs. "A forum like this is a specialist forum to engage those people who either provide energy or who use energy in a commercial sense to involve them in the process," he said. "At different stages, the community will be involved in the deci-

have a state economy."

late that inclustry and not to promote it at the expense of other industries."
"real energy forum", with speakers

Government has taken on that job. "A qovernment's job is to regu-

"l can't see wl.ry the

able energy, but Friday's forum was specifically focused on the

increasing the state's use of renew-

NSW

I
h

The protestors held their own

r
i
L

including Ms Flint, University of New England lecturer Dr Marty

Branagan and Starfish Enterprises Blakester.

sions that relate to planning and

the environment."

executive director

Adam

f,

t F'
F

Mr Blakester, who is hoping to develop a community wind farm near Armidale, said CSG had very little public support in the region.
"Two massive planning processes we've done have involved surveys ol more than two and a half thousand people," he said.

testers' concerns, Mr Hartcher said it was necessary to respect the science surrounding CSG
"lt's important to have an environmental movement to raise the
exploration.

While he acknowledged the pro-

nobody out there arguing the

concerns, otherwise there's

movement

for their energy. I think, overwhelmingly, the Tablelands community want clean, renewable
energy."

"You can count on a couple of hands how many want coal or gas

environmental

case," he said. "But it's also important that the

"We've developed the policy that it must protect our water, it

must protect our environment and lancls."

respects the science.

ANGRY: Protesters outside an invitation-only energy forum in Armidale on Friday.

Mr Hartcher clefended the pur-

it must protect our agricultural