Coal seam gas: a space‐based perspective

Abstract

Coal seam gas and other unconventional gas industries have often struggled to develop a social licence to operate in surrounding communities, frequently resulting in the emergence of broad opposition coalitions and legal challenges. In this article, the authors explore the relational aspects of coal seam gas's space‐based setting with reference to Keith Halfacree's three‐fold model of rural space. Applying this model to coal seam gas development in New South Wales' Hunter Valley, we argue that it is only by understanding the so‐called total space that efforts can be undertaken to promote the more inclusive stakeholder collaboration, which is a prerequisite for achieving shared value for industry and society.