The general purpose standing committee number five is conducting the inquiry and submissions have just closed.

Public hearing dates have been set with the Hunter missing out on having one set in the region.

Taree and parliament house, Sydney, are the closest hearing locations for Hunter residents and agendas have not yet been finalised to confirm which witnesses will be heard.

The first hearing is being held at Alstonville tomorrow with representatives from the National Toxics Network group, Northern Cooperative Meat Company, the Group Against Gas Kyogle, some local government councils and property owners so far being chosen to address the committee.

Chair of the committee, the Hon. Robert Brown MLC said at the time of the investigation announcement that the inquiry was an opportunity for all stakeholders and community representatives to provide input into how NSW could balance social, economic and environmental objectives of the coal seam gas mining industry.

Putty, Broke and Bulga community groups have entered submissions, however Mr Brown told The Singleton Argus last month that the inquiry would most likely not impact on those companies which already “have holes in the ground”.

Chairperson of the Putty Community Association CSG subcommittee Kathy McKenzie said the community has now launched a campaign to have the area declared a mining and extractive industries exclusion zone.

Residents are concerned about Dart Energy’s Petroleum Exploration Licence 460 proximity to the World Heritage Wollemi National Park.

“The campaign to have the Putty Valley declared a sensitive area is based on the fact that it is totally surrounded by the Yengo and Wollemi National Parls, it is a part of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment area and it has a high risk of bush fires and flash floods,” Mrs McKenzie said.

Hearings are set for Taree on October 31, Narrabri on November 16, parliament house, Sydney, on November 17, Bowral on December 8, and Parliament House Sydney on December 9.