The NSW Government’s Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5 is currently conducting a wide ranging inquiry into coal seam gas activities.

State Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries will be attending the hearing along with Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Katrina Humphries and a assemblage of local landholders.

“This is an opportunity for people from our local area to participate directly in the inquiry and share their knowledge, views or experience with the committee,” Mr Humphries said.

Mr Humphries has been meeting local landholders regarding coal seam gas, and recently updated a number of Bellata and Walgett landholders on the issues.

Federal Nationals leader Warren Truss has outlined a blueprint for coal seam gas development in Australia.

“The Nationals adopted a CSG policy at our Federal Council Meeting in August, and we recently finalised a set of principles at a federal parliamentary party room meeting in Cooma to implement that policy,” Mr Truss said.

The Nationals’ policy has five principals, Mr Truss said. Coal seam gas mining should not proceed where there is a significant impact on ground and surface water or poses an environmental risk; prime agricultural land must be protected; coal seam gas development should not take place next to residential areas; landowners are entitled to compensation and remuneration for access to their land; and the regions that deliver the wealth from coal seam gas deserve a fair share of generated revenues.