State-wide public hearings into the economic, social, environmental and health impacts of the industry are providing Committee Members the opportunity to hear all sides of the debate ahead of the release of the Committee’s report, due in April next year.

“Understandably, coal seam gas can be a very emotive topic for certain sections of the community, but if we’re to arrive at an outcome that satisfies all parties, discussion must be sensible and must stick to the facts and the science,” Mr Hartcher said.

“The importance of our farmland, the importance of our water protection and the importance of our environment is a debate that must be had and one in which the NSW Government will certainly participate. But we do appeal to everybody to approach it with an atmosphere of rationality.

“Everybody’s interests need to be looked at and considered, including those of landholders, the Industry and the Government.

“Tomorrow’s hearing at Parliament House is the first opportunity the industry has been given to present its case, providing local communities the chance to be heard at regional hearings.

“I would encourage all Committee Members to continue approaching the issue with an open mind and strongly discourage any Member from pre-judging the findings of the Committee.”

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