Region. Serious questions on CSG

Fiona Simson, president of NSW Farmers, said at a forum in Penrith, coal seam gas (CSG) mining in the Sydney basin raises serious questions as to how the agriculture industry will meet the region’s growing food needs. She said the agricultural industry in the Sydney basin was the “front line” of the conflict in relation to food growing. While the region produces 90 per cent of Sydney’s fresh vegetables, every fruit and vegetable grower falls under an exploration licence for CSG, she said. Resources Minister,Chris Hartcher, said there is no reason why CSG mining and agriculture can’t operate side by side.