Green shire takes power over gas
One tropical council has banned future coal-seam gas projects amid fears it will affect water quality.
Far-North Queensland’s Douglas Shire Council voted this week to bury any future CSG projects in the region.
The Douglas Shire lies to the north of Cairns, encompassing the towns of Mossman, Port Douglas and part of the Daintree Rainforest.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu says that while no CSG sites have actually been proposed, the council wants to be proactive in its anti-CSG stance.
Cr Leu says the community is very concerned about the potential impact on water quality, and will be encouraging surrounding local governments to make similar moves.
She has been encouraging locals to sign up to the community-based anti-CSG initiative Lock the Gate.
In related news, coal seam gas firm AGL has put up an online map to show the quality and levels of local water resources in the Hunter region of NSW.