Insight (1995)

Coal Seam Gas (2011x25)

: 20, 2011

The gas rush is on in Queensland and NSW could be next. As more exploration and drilling licenses are granted, coal seam gas mining is generating jobs, headlines, protests, town hall meetings and advertising campaigns. Insight focuses on the Queensland region of Chinchilla Dalby, where the CSG industry has operated for many years, to look at the impacts – environmental, social and financial. Real estate agents, hotels, butchers, hairdressers and residents have different views on whether the boom is good for their town. Farmers are also divided - some are worried that the mining process will contaminate their land and use too much precious water, while others report no problems and say they’re doing well out of the gas rush. Meanwhile, industry representatives say coal seam gas mining is safe. But some farmers and residents want more evidence, and are pushing for greater regulation and monitoring.