US warnings on gas project water tests

Friday 21 June 2013 11:22AM (view full episode)

A US expert on coal seam and shale gas extraction is warning it will be difficult to accurately assess the industry's effect on ground water.

Opponents of coal seam gas (CSG) have been celebrating this week after Parliament passed what is known as the 'water trigger bill', which aims to make sure the impact on water is considered before CSG or coal projects are approved.

Lindsay Clout from the Fullerton Cove residents, a group that has been campaigning against CSG development, says it is a massive win for communities.

"It renews the balance especially when we have politicians fighting for our cause," he said.

"In the early stages it was very difficult to get the message through to politicians on the level of urgency that we thought was required, but that now has occurred."

But Ian Duncan, a US researcher specialising in studying the environmental impact of the CSG and shale gas industries in North America, says assessing effects on ground water will be difficult.

"It is easier said than done," he said.

"In a simple minded way you think, 'we'll just whip in do a quick baseline survey and we'll have it all figured out'.

"In reality it turns out it is more complicated than that."

Producer: Greg Muller