Mr Buckingham has asked the state government to extend its 60-day moratorium on coal and coal seam gas licences to 12 months and that it cover existing explorations, and not just new licence grants.

“The government’s 60 day moratorium on new exploration licences for coal and coal seam gas mining is recognition that there are serious health and sustainability issues with these industries,” Mr Buckingham said.

“Sixty days is a token time and will not allow a thorough investigation into the health and sustainability of the coal and coal seam gas industry, we need at least 12 months.

“The moratorium only seems to cover new exploration licences, not existing exploration and production activity.

“Given exploration licences already cover large swathes of NSW ... the moratorium will not stop existing exploration and production drilling or fracking operations.”

Mr Buckingham said many NSW local councils and states in the United States had expressed concern about the impact of coal seam gas mining, while France had banned the method of gas extraction known as fracking.

The Greens have a private member’s bill that would put a 12-month moratorium on coal seam gas mining.

Mr Buckingham said during this time a special commission of inquiry should conduct an independent investigation into the health, agricultural and other environmental effects of the coal seam gas industry.

“The coal and coal seam gas industry has massive plans for expansion in NSW,” he said.

“The government should not just do a few token gestures aimed at placating some of the concerned farmers and activists, it must conduct a thorough assessment of the industry before expansion is allowed.”