yesterday for Commonwealth intervention on coal seam gas has been welcomed by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.

Council CEO Pepe Clarke said Mr Windsor’s call was timely as the States has failed to adequately protect Australia’s water supplies, high-value natural areas and communities from the impacts of all forms of mining.

“Australia is the world’s driest continent and we need firm leadership to ensure the conservation of our

precious aquifers, rivers and streams,” Mr Clarke said.

“Already in NSW’s North West, we have seen Shenhua’s proposal for an open cut mine near Gunnedah ‘fast-tracked’ before the completion of the Namoi water study.”