Pressure on gas mine

Geoff Douwes and Ray Cowell are strongly opposed to coal seam gas mining.

Nat Bromhead

IT'S a true David versus Goliath battle.

Geoff Douwes and Ray Cowell have urged the region's landholders to say no to global energy giants seeking to tap into local gas reserves.

The Gympie-based opponents of coal seam gas mining warn of dire consequences should drilling start in the Fraser Coast area.

Mr Douwes said fracking, the chemical-based process of extracting the lucrative gas, caused a major environmental impact and was a threat to the country's largest water reservoir.

"This will poison the Great Artesian Basin and dramatically alter the water table," he said.

"On a local level, the Mary River will suffer. Entire eco-systems could be turned upside down."

Mr Cowell was equally concerned and called on land owners to unite in an effort to keep gas companies off private land.

He asked people to join the national Lock the Gate campaign and watch the US-made feature film Gasland, an award winning documentary detailing the controversial process of fracking.

Fracking involved a bore hole being filled with sand, water and chemicals at high pressure.

Coal seams were fractured then filled with the mix, allowing the release of gas.

The practice has been temporarily suspended in New South Wales pending the outcome of an inquiry.

Mr Douwes and Mr Cowell have urged people to write to local representatives and ask them to watch the Gasland documentary.

More information on the coal seam gas issue can be found at Lock The Gate and Gasland.