suspending some!, page-31

UPDATE 3.30pm: WHILE many are rejoicing Metgasco's move to shut-up shop on the North Coast, Clarence Valley councillor Karen Toms says she thinks there are going to be some severe consequences.

Cr Toms said she empathised with the company, and others like it, and agreed the State Government had changed the goal posts.

"Only last year they came up with new regulations and it was all systems go for the industry," she said.

"Now with one stroke of the pen it all changes and impacts negatively on those businesses.

"Any business would have trouble trying to come to terms when the rules are changed so easily."

She said the main negative would be in terms of Northern NSW energy needs.

"Our contract expires in a couple of years and we are going to be in trouble," Cr Toms said.

"We already have the Casino Abattoir waiting to get gas.

"There's already a well there it just needs to be connected."

She said the decision could impact on the price of energy in the state, which would ultimately hurt businesses.

Cr Toms said many had the view CSG would "make the sky fall in" but having grown up in Queensland, where the industry had operated for years without any major difficulties, she said she did not hold that view.

"I understand people have fear," she said.

"And I respect that but I think we need to take the fear away from it and I think information does that."

http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/metgasco-gives-up-for-now/1789976/