The Lock the Gate Alliance today praised the ABC for the quality of its information on coal seam gas presented on its web site (www.abc.net.au/coalseamgas)
Lock the Gate president Drew Hutton said the ABC deserved the highest praise for cutting through much of the hype surrounding the issue and presenting the costs and benefits in an objective and interesting manner.
Mr Hutton said he was particularly impressed by the site's mapping that shows the positions of many of the coal seam gas wells in Queensland and New South Wales with back-up information on issues like impacts on underground water, fracking and the economic benefits and costs.
"This is brilliant research by ABC investigative journalist Wendy Carlisle that deserves to be read by all Australians," Mr Hutton said.
"The only addition I would like to see added to the site is information on key companies like Arrow Energy, QGC, Origin, Santos and AGL and a map showing the names and contacts of Lock the Gate groups and other groups concerned about the industry.
Everyone should look at it before the coal seam gas industry, alarmed that such clear information is getting to the public, starts applying pressure to have it removed."