Last year the Alliance organised screenings of the documentary ‘Gasland’ in Gloucester and Stroud which the Alliance said many found to be deeply shocking and had a profound impact on many in the community.

The Alliance said this was reflected in the post-screenings discussion about AGL’s Gloucester Gas Project. Issues of concern raised by the audiences included: the damaging and unpredictable impacts of ‘fraccing’; the effects on the levels and quality of the basin’s water table, aquifers and spring systems; possible contamination from so called produced water; the visual and practical impact of the network of gas wells and access roads; and the likelihood of toxic chemical residues being dispersed.

The Alliance said these concerns have been heightened by the Australian experience of coal seam gas as revealed in the “Four Corners” program on ABC TV last week.

The Alliance said residents are aware that concerns about coal seam gas projects are being voiced in communities throughout New South Wales and Queensland while the National Water Commissioner warned about the potential risks to sustainable water management from inadequate regulation of the coal seam gas industry.

The Alliance said the NSW coalition parties are speaking about the need for fundamental change in the way that the coal seam gas industry operates.

The BGS Preservation Alliance said a community forum where members of the public have the opportunity to have their questions answered directly by AGL is the best way to deal with these concerns.

As a result a public meeting is to be held at the Gloucester Soldiers Club Auditorium commencing at 7pm on Thursday March 17.

The Alliance said AGL has been invited to attend and hopes the company will accept.

Invitations have also been extended to elected federal, state and local representatives, all candidates standing for the electorate of Upper Hunter at the forthcoming state election and the Director of the Department of Planning.