Introduction
Australian governments are responding to increased pressure to
address land use conflicts through the introduction of new
legislation and policy initiatives that seek to manage competing
interests. The coal seam gas (CSG) industry
illustrates the current challenges faced by government to balance
the interests of agricultural landholders and other stakeholders,
including petroleum and mining companies, seeking access to land
1, in the context of growing awareness and concern over
environmental impacts, such as water.
Community activities to protect existing land use rights are
rapidly gaining momentum, with individuals and groups joining
forces to attract the attention of the media and political
interests. Representing the movement is the Lock the Gate Alliance,
an organisation that has staged numerous events to both raise
awareness and prevent approvals for coal mining, coal seam and
other unconventional gas mining projects until the physical,
social,
