A NSW farmer and grazier with first hand experience of the coal seam gas industry will be attending the Katherine Show to answer questions from local pastoralists about how communities around the nation have fought off risky unconventional gas mining
David Quince will join members of Don’t Frack Katherine at an information stall at the show.
His visit coincides with a major push by mining interests to start fracking across the territory and comes at the request of local pastoralists.
“My visit also comes in the wake of the release in New York this month of a major compendium detailing the litany of problems - health, social and environmental - associated with fracking and the shale gas industry,” Mr Quince said.
More than 90% of the Northern Territory is covered by gas licences or applications, including vast pastoral areas and many natural and cultural icons.
Mr Quince is a councilor in his hometown of Gunnedah in north-west NSW and has been involved in a prolonged battle with mining giant Santos over drilling in the Pilliga State Forest, an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin.
Earlier this year it was revealed that a CSG drilling waste pond in the forest had leaked contaminating an aquifer with toxic materials including uranium at levels 20 times that considered safe for drinking.
“Fracking is something we simply can’t afford,” Mr Quince said.
“Where I come from we are fighting coal seam gas mining and although the resource here is shale gas the impact from drilling and mining is similar.
“It has the potential to contaminate groundwater, our most precious resource. Once we frack we can’t go back. Any damage will take thousands of years to rectify.
“It is not safe and it’s not necessary. Shale fracking requires a massive amount of water and that alone poses a major threat to the viability of farming and pastoral pursuits.
“In NSW there is huge community opposition to fracking and other forms of unconventional gas extraction and the community has declared more than 2 million ha of productive farm and grazing land off limits to the miners.
“I hope to share some of the information about the threats posed by unconventional gas mining and how landholders can work together to defend the country,” he said.
Further information contact: David Quince 0427442382