14th September 2011 | Toowoomba Chronicle

NEXT week, the SBS One current affairs program Insight looks at what happens when coal seam gas mining comes to town.

There have been a lot of headlines about the industry, with fiery town hall meetings and protests in places where new mines are planned.

Insight investigates whether the fear is founded and asks whether some people are in fact welcoming the industry to their communities.

The program will focus on the Chinchilla-Dalby region, where coal seam gas mining has operated for many years, to look at the impacts – whether environmental, social or financial.

Real estate agents, hotels, butchers, hairdressers and residents can't agree on whether the boom is good for their town.

Farmers are also divided, with some worried that extracting the gas will contaminate their land and use too much precious water.

But others report no problems and say they are doing well out of the gas rush.

Industry representatives say coal seam gas mining is safe.

But some farmers and residents want more evidence, and are pushing for greater regulation and monitoring.

The Insight program will air next Tuesday at 7.30pm.

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