31 July, 2013
CSG development must not proceed until long-term, cumulative health and environmental threats are managed
The Nature Conservation Council of NSW has renewed calls for a moratorium on goal seam gas development following the release of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer’s initial report into the industry. [1]
Chief Scientist and Engineer Mary O’Kane has acknowledged a high degree of uncertainty about the long-term, cumulative impacts of coal seam gas development and has recommended further research into the health and environmental effects of the industry.
“Much more analysis of longer-term effects is required before the community will be satisfied the serious human health and environmental threats of this polluting industry can be managed,” NCC Campaigns Director Kate Smolski said.
“When there is so much at stake, the government has a duty to apply the precautionary principle to minimize risks to communities, water supplies and wildlife.
“The government must halt any CSG development until the concerns raised in the report and cumulative impacts are dealt with fully – we must not gamble with our water and agricultural lands.
“The Chief Scientist findings that there are serious threats posed by CSG development validate community concerns, but we didn’t need a review to know this was the case.
“The experience in Queensland’s gas fields, where there have numerous spills, instances of environmental contamination and human health effects, is well known.”
Ms Smolski said the government should take the opportunity in the next phase of the Chief Scientist’s review to protect water supplies, sensitive environmental lands and food-growing regions by enacting CSG no-go zones.
“As the proposed amendments to the Mining State Environmental Planning Policy show, the government is prepared to bend over backwards to weaken environmental and health protection to resource development in this state,” she said.
“Premier O'Farrell must heed the concerns of the community and the independent panel over CSG expansion and announced an immediate moratorium.”
[1] http://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-review/initial-report-july-2013
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