8 February, 2013
AGL Camden CSG decision is a temporary reprieve for residents
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has welcomed AGL’s announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange this morning that it has suspended its application to expand its coal seam gas fields into residential areas of south-west Sydney.
“This will be welcome news for local residents but it is important to recognize that this is only a temporary reprieve,” NCC Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke said.
“AGL clearly hopes the suspension will weaken public and political opposition to coal seam gas development in built-up urban areas, but that is highly unlikely.
“As awareness of the risks this industry poses to human health and water resources grows, the public becomes more staunchly opposed.
“AGL’s announcement is simply a tactical decision. They obviously intend to re-lodge the application when there is less media scrutiny of this project.”
Mr Clarke said it was disturbing that AGL’s highly inappropriate application had been allowed to progress so far through the planning process.
“The fact that it has simply highlights the flaws in the current system,” he said. “The O’Farrell Government must act to protect local communities in south-west Sydney and other areas of the state threatened by the aggressive expansion of CSG and mining by legislating to ban CSG developments in residential areas and in drinking-water catchments.
“The O’Farrell Government has comprehensively failed to protect water resources, wildlife and community health from the rapid spread of these damaging industries since it came to power almost two years ago, making greater federal involvement in the assessment and approval process essential.”
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Coal and gas
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