The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee has called for submissions to its inquiry into the impact of mining of coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin.

 

The inquiry, part of a broader inquiry into management of the Murray Darling Basin, will examine the economic, social and environmental impacts of mining coal seam gas on:


• the sustainability of water aquifers and future water licensing arrangements;
• the property rights and values of landholders;
• the sustainability of prime agricultural land and Australia’s food task;
• the social and economic benefits or otherwise for regional towns and the effective management of relationships between mining and other interests; and
• other related matters including health impacts.

Submissions are invited by Thursday, 30 June 2011. More information is at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/rat_ctte/mdb/info.htm