Stop coal seam gas

Coal seam gas mining is out of control and Australia’s laws do not take proper account of the industry. While the coal seam gas industry scampers to keep its in check, can you join up to make sure proper measures are taken to regulate this dangerous practice?

Check out this video to see what's possible when we come together:



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From Sydney’s water supply catchment to the rich agricultural lands of the Liverpool Plains and the Darling Downs, the coal seam gas industry is expanding at breakneck speed. People's health is under threat, our nation's farmland being eroded away and the country's precious aquifers permanently damaged.

Together, we can show the Government that people right across the country are appalled by the impacts of coal seam gas. Can you help in calling on the Health, Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministers to stop the coal seam gas industry until proper regulations are put in place? Sign the petition on the right.
Coal seam gas is a relatively new form of mining, but it's spreading like a cancer across the eastern seaboard, with over 700 new wells a year in Queensland alone1. To force gas out of the ground, huge amounts of water are removed from natural aquifers, then pumped back into the earth filled with industrial contaminants2. Gas can escape, contaminating water supplies3. People get sick4. Agricultural land and water supply is spoiled. And once an aquifer is contaminated there is no known way to fix it5.

No-one is taking responsibility for the long-term impacts of coal seam gas mining. The State and Federal Governments are playing political football with livelihoods – handballing the issue because it’s too hard to deal with. With the States failing to adequately control this industry, we need the federal government to act. Our nation’s food, water and health are at stake.

FOOTNOTES:
1 Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library Background Note: The development of Australia’s coal seam gas resources Date 28 July 2011
2 National Water Commission, December 2010, The coal seam gas and water challenge: National Water Commission Position.
3 Dunn, Ross. Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorations Association on Lateline 02/08/2011 Coal Seam Gas Debate.
4 Doctors for the Environment Australia, June 2011, Submission to the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee Inquiry into management of the Murray Darling Basin – impact of mining coal seam gas.
5 Senator Heffernen questioning Mark McFarlane of Santos in Federal Senate Inquiry. ABC radio, August 9, 2011.

SIGN THE PETITION

Together we can put CSG on the Queensland State election agenda. Share the video with your friends, family and colleagues by clicking on the email, Facebook and Twitter buttons below the video. Once you've shared the petition please take action to stop CSG by signing the below petition:

We call on the Health, Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministers to urgently halt the unbridled expansion of the coal seam gas industry until we have fully understood the impacts the industry is having, and we have the proper regulations and safe-guards in place to protect our:
- farmers and farmland;
- homes and communities;
- precious natural areas; and
- drinking and groundwater.

77,015 SIGNED!

we need 17,985 more!