GREATER Taree City Council has given in-principle opposition to coal seam gas mining until suitable policy procedures and safeguards are adopted by the State government.
The council at its September meeting this week voted to also work toward a policy statement on coal seam gas mining following motions put forward by mayor Paul Hogan and Cr David Keegan.
The council's resolution will see its delegates present to a Mid Coast Water board meeting the concerns of the Manning Alliance Incorporated Group, with the council to subsequently receive and consider a report proposing a combined common policy statement on coal seam gas mining.
A representative of the Manning Alliance will be invited to attend a meeting of the estuary, coastline, Manning catchment advisory committee to present terms of reference to consider establishing a community consultative committee.
It also determined that council's policy with respect to coal seam gas mining be guided by State and Federal government guidelines and best available scientific evidence.
In his mayoral minute presented to the meeting, Cr Hogan said the council shared the community concerns regarding the potential harmful effect on the Manning catchment from coal seam gas mining.
"There is no doubt that this is the most important issue we have faced as a council with regard to the impact that coal seam gas mining could have on the Manning Valley," Cr Hogan said.
"Concern for our environment is one of the major commitments in our community plan. The Manning River and our beautiful valley cannot be compromised for money over our most precious commodity � water."
Cr Hogan said the council had discussed the issue a number of times and remains highly concerned about the potential effect of coal seam gas extraction processes.
"With limited knowledge on coal seam gas extraction, we as a council require further scientific and technical information on the coal seam gas extraction processes so that we as councillors can make an informed decision."
He said the course of action to date had followed completely the council's charter and statement of commitment.
The council's general manager has written to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into coal seam gas expressing the council's issues of concern and sought attendance by council at an inquiry hearing when it is held in Taree.
Cr Hogan said the council would continue to pursue this issue through its county council responsible for water supply, MidCoast Water, with the support of Great Lakes Council and Gloucester Shire Council.
"I suggest also that the community examine each of the submissions made to the NSW State Government inquiry by Greater Taree City Council, Great Lakes Council and Gloucester Shire Council."
He said some of the common issues of concern were the impact of coal seam gas mining on regional development, investment and employment, local and regional infrastructure, planning control mechanisms, environment, health, economic and social impact, land use degradation and lack of community consultation by the NSW State government who are the consent authority through the NSW Department of Planning.
Greater Taree City Council's move came the same week as the first public hearing of a State parliamentary inquiry into coal seam gas in Alstonville, where gas exploration licences covering 5800 square kilometres around Lismore and Casino were a hot topic.
Four local councils gave evidence but only one � Richmond Valley � saw any benefit from coal seam gas production.
The other three � Kyogle, Lismore and Tweed Shire � were strongly opposed to gas production in its current form and said health and environmental studies supported by industry were worth little to their residents.
Six hearings will be held as part of the inquiry, with Taree to host one on Monday, October 31.
A report on the findings will be released next April.
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