Tweed Valley based Coal Seam Gas campaigner Michael McNamara has called on Thomas George, state MP for Lismore, to resign following reports late last week that he supports Coal Seam Gas (CSG).
‘Mr George was elected to represent the communities of the Northern Rivers and if he finds himself unable to do that he should resign,’ Mr McNamara said.
‘Communities in Mr George’s electorate have overwhelmingly come out against CSG.
‘Last week at The Channon we saw the launch of the CSG-free communities strategy for the Northern Rivers following an overwhelming 99 per cent support among residents.
‘More community meetings have taken place in Mr George’s electorate this weekend with similar results and the momentum is continuing to grow.
‘Support for the CSG industry from Mr George and the NSW government flies in the face of pre-election commitments given by the Coalition.
‘The claim by supporters of CSG that the government needs the royalties raised to pay for hospitals and schools is outrageous.
‘The companies have a royalty-free period of five years from the commencement of a production well and the royalty payments then increase on a sliding scale.
‘That means that for the first five years of production the companies pay absolutely no royalties and for the next four years they will not pay the full royalties due.
‘This is not a bad deal for the companies when the average life expectancy of a production well is between five to six years – but it is an awful deal for taxpayers and local communities.
‘I don’t know where Mr George and his government colleagues think the money is coming from but it certainly is not from CSG royalties.’
Mr McNamara encouraged Northern Rivers residents to attend rallies outside state parliament on 1 May and at Lismore on 12 May to protest against Coal Seam Gas and its impact on local communities, water, farming and environmentally sensitive areas.
httpv://youtu.be/o7C4ousqB4E
Last weekend hundreds of people from The Channon and Keerrong regions declared their roads CSG-free in a massive meeting attended by the Lismore mayor.
I absolutely agree T. George should resign. I dont think he has an environmental bone in his body, I certainly didnt get any joy from him when I discussed the Byrrill Creek Dam with him. We need a representative in this region in touch with the issues which are of importance to a significant percentage of the population, i.e. environmentally sustainable and valueing the unique beauty of the region. I will email George along these lines.
Uki says NO to CSG!!
I asked him at the Lismore show if he or his relitives had any interests in these gas companies,he replied your not from round here,you told me a lie ,tell me were you live,I told him my address ,I then asked him if real estate values would decrease if the project went ahead and our area was veiwed as being behind the Balina gas presinct,and he told me to shut my mouth.I said your a polition ,this is what you get paid for,to be accountable,he replied that he is not account(had adouble think and stopped talking)……..My personal opinion about the situation is that there is skum on the water and filth underneith,and that If the man was investigated unpleasent truths for his lack of action on this subject may emerge.
State ALP unlocked the Gate,Counrty/Libs keeping it open,Federal ALP wants Uranium exploration in our area and the Mayor say trust our ALP team,with Keven 07 who as I remember had his minister for the Environment Peter Garet open new uranium mines the day after he visited Lismore art gallery to drop off an arts grant/shut up bribe.lock the pollies,so we can leave the gate open again……….party politics is dead……say one thing do the other……