Richmond Valley says yes to CSG

Richmond Valley Council voted not to impose a moratorium on CSG activities on Tuesday, instead moving to "be informed on coal seam gas mining exploration licence applications" on Council-owned or managed land.

Richmond Valley councillor Donna Kinnish moved for a moratorium on all CSG activities until such time as the NSW Government enacted legislation resulting from the Parliamentary Inquiry but it was not supported.

Council voted 7/2 for the motion (Crs Charlie Cox and Donna Kinnish against) which included Council staff being asked to investigate the impacts of CSG activities and report back. Council also moved to write to the NSW Government urging them to protect prime agricultural land from CSG mining activities, including horizontal drilling.

Cr Stuart George, who works for Metgasco, absented himself from the vote after a declaring a pecuniary interest.