Farmers see money in CSG
SOME farmers welcome the prospect of gas mining in South Gippsland, despite overwhelming community opposition to the new industry.
But the man leading the State Government’s community consultation process about natural gas and coal seam gas mining said those supporters were not willing to express their views publicly for fear of reprisals.
Mike Maguire, managing director of The Primary Agency, believed there has been interest from farmers who saw the opportunity for diversification and a further source of income.
“These farmers may not necessarily support the idea but are curious and want to find out more to see if there is a benefit,” he said.
“Seventy-five per cent (of people) are apprehensive or outright negative towards gas mining.
“The others support the idea but will not show willingness to express their opinions.”
Mr Maguire said many supporters of gas mining stay quiet for fear of being attacked but his team wanted to hear from them.
Community consultations were held at the Inverloch Community Hub last Tuesday and the Old Shire Hall in Mirboo North on Wednesday.
At Mirboo North, protesters were unhappy about the risk of water contamination, depressed property values and the industrialisation of the landscape if CSG mining eventuated in South Gippsland.
Boolarra beef farmer Tania Brown was concerned about the water supply being poisoned.
“We could potentially lose our whole overseas industry,” she said.
“One cow contaminated by the fracking industry can have a devastating effect. We will lose our clean image.”
Denyse Menzies from Mardan said facilitators at the open day were reasonable in their one on one discussions.
“Hopefully something positive will come out of today, and the government will do the right thing and we get a fair hearing,” she said.
“No one comes to the community to live in a gas field.”
At Inverloch, objectors to gas mining gathered before the session, led by members of anti mining group Lock the Gate.
“We never have problems about people showing up,” Jessica Harrison of Wonthaggi said.
“People are determined to let the government know they’re not happy with the area becoming a gasfield.”
Victorian Lock the Gate coordinator Ursula Alquier of Willow Grove was pleased with the turnout of objectors.
“What people want is a total ban. The only way to guarantee water and food security is to not have it,” she said.
Attendees at previous open days expressed concerns about water quality, property values, the beauty of the landscape, insurance, tourism and public health.
Protecting South Gippsland’s tourism was one of the concerns of Mae Adams of Venus Bay.
“Ecotourism is the fastest growing tourism sector globally and is now worth over $1 billion in Australia,” she said.
“All of the investment – by Landcare, Coastcare and other groups – in biodiversity is being put at risk by this kind of extractive industry.
“We support the farmers. It’s all related to the health of the land.”
Mr Maguire said the best way for people to be heard was to speak to a neutral facilitator.
“This market research and two part extensive study will be compiled in a report on March 31,” he said.
“It is a vehicle for the community voice to be heard by government. This is not just about who shouts the loudest.”
Mr Maguire, who has a farm at Nyora, said his team was present to listen.
“It’s a genuine consultation,” he said.
“No other state has given the community an opportunity to say what they want before anything happens.”
He emphasised the government did not send his team to convince people to accept gas mining.
“That is absolutely not the case,” Mr Maguire said.
The government also sent a small team of technical experts such as geologists, hydrogeologists and regulatory experts who were briefed to answer questions in a neutral way.
The team uses the term “onshore natural gas” to cover four types of gas: coal seam gas, tight gas, shale gas and conventional natural gas.
Mr Maguire said after former Howard Government minister Peter Reith delivered the Gas Market Taskforce Review, the State Government realised it needed a better understanding of the community’s views.
“Our job is to find out what the communities think and feel,” he said.
The work of the open days was qualitative, aiming to capture the views of the community.
“We’re also running a fully statistically valid quantitative study,” Mr Maguire said.
Community information open days are being held in 14 locations across the state, many of them in Gippsland.
Between 60 and 130 people are attending a typical session.
The places chosen to hold open days are ones whose geology indicates there may be gas under the ground.
After the open days, people nominated by stakeholder groups, including protest groups such as Lock the Gate, will be invited to community workshops.
“That report is the vehicle by which the community’s voice will be heard by government,” Mr Maguire said.
Concerned citizens: from left, Marg Williamson of Kongwak and Ursula Alquier of Willow Grove attended the community information open day at Inverloch Community Hub to express their opinions about coal seam gas mining in South Gippsland.
Expressing opposition: people concerned about coal seam gas mining, including members of anti mining group Lock the Gate, gather at Inverloch Community Hub to voice their concerns at the community information open day.
No to gas fields: Simon McInnes from Boolarra does not want to see gas mining in South Gippsland.
Lock the gate: many of the Mirboo North and surrounding residents are against the prospect of coal seam gas mining.
Protestors unite: a crowd turned out to the Mirboo North open day at the Old Shire Hall to oppose any coal seam gas mining in South Gippsland.
Children in mind: Boolarra’s Tania Brown and Laura Tarrant want to protect the future generations from gas mining.
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