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This 2-day Gasfield Tour and Conference will address the public health concerns of coal seam gas (CSG) and the rapid industrialisation of our regions. It will cover the impacts of gas expansion, data centres, fracking, fast-tracked oil and gas development, wind & solar farms, BESSES and power stations on public health. We will ask the question “Is it safe to live in a gasfield?” The conference is FREE for Western Downs residents.
A tour of the gasfield region will be followed by speaker and panel discussions from professionals and impacted gasfield residents with the knowledge you need to navigate the challenges of living in an industrialised area.
Gasfield Tour: Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 9am – 3pm
Conference: Wednesday 4th November 2026, 8.15am – 4.30pm
The Wattle Room, Chinchilla Cultural Centre, 80-86 Heeney Street, Chinchilla, 4413
Topics covered:
- CSG health impact
- Industrialisation and where it is happening
- Psychosocial hazards
- Health and regulation
- Citizen science solutions
- Navigating the complaints process
Speakers include:
- Prof. Melissa Haswell – Queensland University of Technology
- Dr. Steven Burch – University of Tasmania
- Dr. Shay Dougall – Sydney University
- Assoc. Prof. Ian Wright – University of Western Sydney
- Dr. Louise Woodward – Community Healthy Air NT
- Mia Pepper – Minerals Policy Institute
Click on the names to read a biography for each speaker.
Panel Members:
- Bev Newton – a farmer from Dalby who is impacted by the Arrow Energy expansion onto farmland. The Newton’s farm has faced serious impacts from the expansion of gasfields in the area.
- Brian Monk – a landholder from Kogan and a long term resident of the Western Darling Downs. His family and property have been directedly impacted by the gas industry. His experience and depth of knowledge is expansive.
- John Jenkyn – a former resident of Wieambilla near Tara. John’s family faced multiple and sustained impacts whilst living in the gasfield. His experience and depth of knowledge is expansive.
- Damian Fairbairn – from Wieambilla near Tara is an impacted gasfield resident. Damian’s family live in a QGC operated gasfield and live with the day to day operations of gas extraction around them.
Register here
Conference Program:
PDF version here
Tuesday 3rd November – Gasfield Tour
9am Hotel pick ups
9.45am Gasfield tour will commence from the corner of Chinchilla Tara Rd &
Dalby Kogan Rd
12pm Lunch at Tara Parklands
1pm Tour to continue
3pm Return to accommodation via the Condamine River Chinchilla Weir
6pm Informal dinner at the Crossroads Hotel
Wednesday 4th November – Conference
Registration from 8.15am
Morning Session
9am Anna Christie – NWPA (Acknowledgement of Country & Welcome)
9.10am Johanna Evans – Lock the Gate (Introduction to industrialisation)
9.20am KEYNOTE: Prof. Melissa Haswell – Queensland University of Technology (Unconventional gas and health: what everyone should know)
10.05am Dr. Shay Dougall – Sydney University (The impact of industrialisation on our regions)
10.45am Morning Tea
11am Dr. Steven Burch – University of Tasmania (Accounts about CSG: a case of different worlds, worths, and responsibilities)
11.40am Panel Discussion – LIVING IN A GASFIELD: Western Downs locals – Brian Monk, John Jenkyn, Damian Fairbairn and Bev Newton
12.40pm Lunch
Afternoon Session
1.15pm Assoc. Prof. Ian Wright – Western Sydney University (How communities in extractive industry zones investigate environmental quality through
rainwater tank testing)
2.00pm Dr. Louise Woodward – Community Healthy Air NT
(How citizen science is helping identify air pollution in the NT)
2.45pm Afternoon Tea
3pm Mia Pepper – Minerals Policy Institute (The care and maintenance of mines in QLD) via Zoom
3.45pm Next Steps Panel Discussion
4.15pm Question time
4.30pm Conference Close
Conference pricing:
Tea & coffee, morning & afternoon tea, and a delicious buffet lunch by local caterer Fromms Catering is included. If you have dietary requirements they will be noted in the registration process.
CONFERENCE (Wednesday 4th November)
| Full Day | Morning/Afternoon Session | |
| Local resident | Free | Free |
| Non-local (waged) | $80 | $40 |
| Non-local (concession/unwaged) | $20 | $10 |
| Donation/pay it forward | You decide | You decide |
| Subsidised Places | Free x 10 (Phone Conference Hotline for EOI)* |
GASFIELD TOUR (Tuesday 3rd November)
| Bus seat, including lunch | $35 |
| Drive own vehicle (tag-along) | Lunch cost is $10 (or by donation) |
More info:
Call the conference hotline on 0409 313 968 or email us at: CSGHealthForum@protonmail.com if you need further information or have other queries.
Hear the latest evidence. No health study after 15 years. Register now to get informed!
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This conference honours and acknowledges the work of Dr. Geralyn McCarron.
Video displayed with full permission of Cloudcatcher Media