CSG becomes personal and political

Ian Gaillard from the Keerrong Gas Squad has described the NSW Government's extension of a moratorium on CSG fracking until April next year as "laughable".

The government has pushed out the moratorium from December 31 until April while it waits for the completion of the NSW CSG Parliamentary Inquiry and a report from chief scientist and engineer Professor Mary O'Kane.

"If it were to be extended to a 10-year period, we may still only then begin to scratch the surface of how water works underground," Mr Gaillard said. "To make a decision in a few short months under pressure is no way to preserve the ground and surface water of the Northern Rivers."

At a meeting on Monday called by Lismore MP Thomas George, a senior executive from the Department of Trade & Investment met with representatives from Metgasco, farming groups and activists at the Lismore Workers Club.

Mr Gaillard asked Metgasco CEO Peter Henderson to sign an environmental pledge promising that any mining activities undertaken would not damage ground or surface water or underground water systems in any way.

Mr Henderson said he would take the pledge to Metgasco's next board of directors meeting and Mr Gaillard has also sent it to Arrow Energy, who did not attend on Monday.

"There was nearly a unanimous concern by farming and environmental groups that CSG companies cannot be trusted to preserve the integrity of our water," Mr Gaillard said. "Metgasco and Arrow Shell PetroChina are not welcome by the majority of people in the Northern Rivers. The dangerous experiment they are conducting should not be carried out in our backyard by people who control the operation from Sydney and afar."

Mr George said the NSW Government was working hard to establish rigorous guidelines for any new CSG licence applications.

"Things did flare up a little bit (in the meeting) but everyone was able to chip in and talk through it… I wanted everyone to leave feeling they had had their say," he said. "The government is working on a very stringent aquifer interference regulation… and if mining companies go in to get a licence today they can't just get it overnight and pay money anymore, they probably have to do a couple of years of studies for starters," he said. "The current licences out there don't have strict regulations and we need to develop a code of practice, as there isn't one at the moment."

While the moratorium on fracking continues, Monday's meeting highlighted poisonous cracks within the community as the CSG debate reaches fever pitch and the political gets entangled with the personal. Emotions spilled over prior to the meeting, with Mr George being greeted with cries of "Judas" and "traitor" by a group of around 40 protestors at the Workers Club.

In a heated debate with one woman Mr George said, "You lot expect respect, but you don't give it".

Wanda Halden from the Rock Valley GAS Rangers left before the meeting began as she felt "disrespected" by people in the room and said it was a "sham" after realising Metgasco CEO Peter Henderson and other gas mining executives had been invited. She said protestors should not be locked out, accusing Mr George of "segregating" the community. However, other members of anti-CSG groups including Mr Gaillard said they were aware Metgasco had been invited and those who attended voted collectively that the protestors should not be allowed in.

Several protestors said they had repeatedly called for public forums to be held instead of invite-only meetings, but Mr George said he wasn't sure with the level of anger expressed on Monday that public forums would enable sensible discussions or outcomes, whereas a closed meeting with a mix of stakeholders allowed for respectful dialogue.

Mr George said he had been bombarded with personal attacks via email and in person despite making representations each time people with CSG concerns raised an issue.

"I know people are emotional about it and I'm not ignoring it… every one of the people in the meeting thanked me for having it," he said. "One of these days people will realise I'm just trying to do the best for this area... If you think I'm thick skinned and it never affects me, just ask my (office) girls and my family… but that's what you have to wear in this game."