Northern Rivers Tourism has joined Regional Development Australia-Northern Rivers (RDA-NR) in calling for a moratorium on all coal-seam gas mining in NSW until more conclusive evidence about its potential impacts is established.
NRT has called on Tourism Industry Council of NSW to request state and federal governments ensure the long-term interests of the state’s $28.7 billion tourism industry are safeguarded in strategic land-use decisions and policies.
NRT has also offered to collaborate with RDA-NR on independent research into the economic impacts of coal-seam gas mining on the Northern Rivers, including on the tourism industry.
‘We recognise that coal-seam gas mining (CSG) can have significant economic benefits to areas of regional NSW and Australia,’ said Northern Rivers Tourism CEO Russell Mills.
‘At the same time, if not adequately managed and regulated, coal-seam gas mining risks having significant, long-term and adverse impacts on the natural landscape and on adjacent surface and groundwater systems.
‘The northern rivers region takes a lead from the natural landscapes and rural character in which we live. It is these assets and character that inform our reputation among visitors and generate billions of dollars of tourism income for the region and the state.
‘It is responsible and appropriate for the region’s peak tourism body to seek certainty from state and federal governments that the successes of the coal-seam gas mining industry do not compromise the interests of the region’s $1.3 billion tourism industry, which directly employs nearly 8000 full-time employees.’