Dart Energy was granted approval last month by the state government to explore for coal seam gas just 500 metres from the world heritage Yengo and Wollemi National parks.

The site is located on private land some 6km south of the Putty Valley Road turnoff with work expected to start on Wednesday.

A Dart Energy spokesperson told The Singleton Argus confirmed residents were told drilling was planned to a depth of approximately 900m and would be undertaken on a seven day, 12 hour basis and could take up to five weeks to complete.

Putty Community Association CSG sub-committee spokesperson Kathy McKenzie said the exploration approval shows a total disregard for the importance of the area and the sudden commencement of exploration is seen as another gross oversight by the company in community consultation.

Mrs McKenzie said the approval has created a lot of anxiety in the area about what the future holds.

“In our opinion we think an area should be investigated for production and impacts on the environment assessed before companies spend millions on the exploration phase,” she said.

Mrs McKenzie said the community would like to see areas that are of environmental or agricultural significance ruled out first before exploration takes place.

The protest is at the property “Wheeny”, 86km from Singleton on the Putty Road, on Sunday from 11am to 2pm. Protestors are advised to bring their own refreshments.

Residents were also disappointed that approval had been granted given the pending parliamentary committee inquiry into Coal Seam Gas.

(See story page 7)