ABORIGINAL groups in NSW are poised to enter the lucrative coal-seam gas industry, putting them on a collision course with environmental and farmers' groups.
The NSW Aboriginal Land Council, the umbrella group for local land councils, has applied to the NSW government for CSG exploration licences covering two-thirds of NSW.
The move has triggered claims by anti-CSG groups that traditional owners are being used as "puppets" by private interests and should pursue "more noble ways" of securing economic independence, such as growing vegetables.
But land council boss Geoff Scott said yesterday the comments by opponents of the application were premature, and Aborigines would negotiate with all stakeholders if the licences were granted and CSG was found.
"We're as concerned with the impact of mining on the environment as anyone else," he said.
Read More
The Australian
No comments:
Post a Comment