Wollongong’s lord mayor Gordon Bradbery will call on his fellow councillors to lobby the state government over coal seam gas mining in water catchment areas.

In his mayoral minute for Monday night’s meeting, Councillor Bradbery says the council must convince the government of the importance of Sydney’s Drinking Water Catchment to the population and economy.

If other councillors agree, the mayor and general manager will seek a meeting with Premier Barry O’Farrell to request an extension of proposed coal seam gas exclusion zones to include special areas within the water catchment.

Councillor Bradbery says water catchment areas must be protected.

“Water catchment areas are no go as far as I’m concerned,” he says.

“Any intrusion upon those lands beyond what is even there with roads through it and transecting it – it seems to be that it’s not sensible.

“Not only that, it makes our water supply very vulnerable.”

But Wollongong Councillor Bede Crasnich has criticised Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery for raising the issue of coal seam gas in water catchments in this way.

Councillor Bede Crasnich says the mayor is wasting council resources.

“I do suggest Gordon Bradbery just runs for the seat of Wollongong, perhaps beats Noreen Hay next time and then he can talk about coal seam gas every day of the week he’s in state parliament,” he said.

“He can do that then.

“But until then, I really think, I would rather us be talking about local issues.”