Anti-coal seam gas petition signed by 50,000 August 30, 2011 - 4:21PM
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling on the federal government to stop coal seam gas mining until its full impact is understood, GetUp says.
Lobby group GetUp said it has wrapped up a tour of affected communities in regional New South Wales and Queensland, finding that some residents have concerns about the health impacts of CSG mining.
Campaigns director Paul Oosting said some have reported passing out, headaches, skin rashes and bleeding from the nose and ears since CSG drilling exploration began. Advertisement: Story continues below
??It is inexcusable that the industry is allowed to grow at an alarming rate and without increased regulation while local farmers suffer loss of land and increased sickness,?? he said in a statement.
In response, GetUp sent a petition to its 550,000 members, calling on federal Health, Environment, Water and Agriculture ministers to halt the ??unbridled?? expansion of the industry and protect farmland, homes, communities and groundwater.
So far, 50,376 people have signed.
??The CSG industry needs urgent independent investigation and regulation or it will continue to cause illness and destroy land and water supplies,?? Mr Oosting said.