Councillor calls for support on CSG

Cr Jill Merrin

THE Illawarra Greens have called for Wollongong City Council to support the ban on Coal Seam Gas exploration and mining in the water catchment.

Greens Councillor Jill Merrin said Council have discussed a CSG policy drafted up by the Association of Mining Related Councils.

“As a member of the Association, Wollongong needs to ensure that any CSG policy is consistent with our decisions,” Cr Merrin said.

“Since Wollongong Council was elected in 2011, we have consistently and strongly supported out community in opposing coal seam gas exploration and mining, especially in the water catchment. A series of Motions I put up in the first year of our tenure gained unanimous approval, and the issue also gained support in many of our neighbouring Councils and the Southern Councils Group.

“if we don’t know the full impact of CSG mining, and the risks are great, then we need to apply the Precautionary Principle.

“The people of Wollongong, the Illawarra, and in the water catchment, have spoken loudly and clearly – they want water, not gas,” Cr Merrin said,