Community members are invited to an Open Forum to have conversations about energy, mining and coal seam gas (CSG) in our region.
“We do not want to convince people one way or another at this Open Forum” said Kate Boyd, one of the organisers with Armidale Action on Coal Seam Gas and Mining (AACSGaM).
“Rather, we wish to provide an opportunity for the community to explore and express their thoughts and feelings about the matter.”
AACSGaM is an action group of Sustainable Living Armidale (SLA) which formed in August 2011 to inform the community about the threats posed by coal and coal seam gas mining and to protect farmland, bushland, water and our health from invasive mining.
Members of the group are concerned about threats to the Pilliga and Leard Forests as well as the prospect that CSG wells, access roads and other infrastructure needed for CSG mining will turn the North West of NSW into an industrial wasteland.
“Some people who stop at the AACSGaM stall at the Markets in the Mall share our concerns, but say they feel overwhelmed by the enormity of CSG mining”, said AACSGaM’s Kerri Clarke.
“Opening communication is important and we would like to hear from everyone – whether they are concerned, supportive, indifferent or have ideas how to meet our energy needs.”
“The questions we prepared for consideration are intended to provide a framework to open up rather than restrict or limit conversation,” added Kerri.
“Working in small groups it will be more comfortable for each of us to find out how the community feels about CSG and other mining, listen to each others’ concerns as well as ideas for how they would like our system of energy to be.”
Armidale Action on Coal Seam Gas and Mining is hosting the event as part of the ongoing series of Open Forums held by (SLA) on the first Thursday of each month.
The conversations will take place on Thursday, June 6, at 7pm at Kent House, opposite Central Park on Faulkner Street. All welcome. Light supper, gold coin donation appreciated.
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