Dart Energy have a coal seam gas (CSG) exploration licence covering almost the whole of Port Stephens, and propose drilling 4 ‘pilot’ wells near Fullerton Cove. Many in the community are concerned about the environmental effects of CSG, particularly on the valuable underground water supplies, and fear that wells are being permitted too hastily by State and Federal governments.  Port Stephens Council, which has little control over mining, has now joined in calls for a moratorium on CSG exploration and production until better scientific and environmental evidence is available.