Hopeland's dirty secret

In early February, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) conducted routine testing in the Hopeland region and discovered gases at depths of between two and six metres.

The gases identified include carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide, which are commonly associated with combustion. They have now been identified on six properties.

Hopeland Community Sustainability Group member Shay Dougall said they could not understand how the government could allow this to happen.

She said locals had ongoing concerns about underground coal gasification and coal seam gas projects in the area.

"I have been told by them [EHP] it has never been heard of before," Ms Dougall said.

"However no baseline testing was conducted prior to companies entering the area so we don't know if the gases were there before or not."

The mother of two lives on a two-hectare property, Wilgalee, at Hopeland, on the western Darling Downs.

In early March, the Hopeland Community Sustainability Group sent a letter to government ministers, hoping their concerns might finally be heard.

When Queensland Country Life contacted EHP, they said a written response to all of the group’s concerns would be provided once the issues raised had been investigated.

"I care for the health and safety of my children and the food security of our nation," Ms Dougall said.

"I don't believe there is enough management or control of this industry to say that it's safe. I've experienced that it is not safe, and I believe it needs to stop."

Linc Energy has also expressed its frustration at the government's lack of communication.

A spokesperson for Linc Energy said the company was in the process of decommissioning its pilot plant in the area, a process which has been ongoing since October 2013.

The spokesperson said a flare had been burning at the plant to remove methane build-up and they were in the process of rehabilitating the site in full.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection said it was not possible to categorically determine the cause of the contamination at this time.

The spokesperson said the gases were not associated with coal seam gas development; however Linc Energy queried how the department could so quickly rule out CSG as a potential cause.

Investigations by EHP, independent expert consultants and the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation are continuing to determine the source and extent of the gases present.

Landholders have been advised to contact the department prior to excavation or any other activity which may occur at a depth of two metres or more below ground.