3 October, 2013
Large parts of the state still exposed to mining and gas threats
The Nature Conservation Council has welcomed the NSW government’s announcement that it would honour its promise to create 2km CSG exclusion zones to protect residential areas and critical industry clusters.
“For residents concerned about CSG development in urban areas, the announcement represents a victory for common sense and local community action,” NCC CEO Pepe Clarke said.
“But for many others, it will not deliver peace of mind. For a government that promised real change on mining and gas regulation, much unfinished business remains.
“The threat of CSG development is still very real for large parts of the state. At least 90 per cent of NSW is still not protected.
“Drinking water catchments are still not protected, neither are important natural assets like the Pilliga Forest, which is set to be carved up and polluted by gas development.”
Mr Clarke said there were two key flaws in the new arrangements:
- the inability of the “gateway” process to block destructive proposals; and
- the ability of landholders to opt out of the exclusion zones around critical industries.
Under the gateway process, a panel conducts a preliminary review of an application before a full development proposal is submitted.
“This process is flawed because the panel has no power to refuse. The gateway is permanently propped open, leaving productive agricultural land exposed to mining and gas development,” he said.
Futhermore, the government is permitting gas and mining companies that have bought agricultural land within critical industry areas to opt out of the exclusion zones.
“This will result in critical industry clusters being hollowed out from the inside,” he said.
The announcement also fails to address the impact of coal mining on the environment and communities.
“Local communities across the state, will still be threatened by air and water pollution from the rapid expansion of the coal mining industry,” he said.
“The government must seize the opportunity to respond to well-founded community concerns about unrestrained mining and gas expansion and include damaging coal projects and deliver real protection for public health, water resources and natural areas.”
Recent CSG developments and applications.
Greg Hunt has given green light for new CSG exploration activities in the Pilliga.
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/assessments/2013/6918/2013-6918-referral-decision.pdf
GAS company AGL is seeking government approval to develop four pilot wells using the controversial coal seam fracking technique for its Gloucester Valley project.
AGL lodged a ‘Fracture Stimulation Management Plan’ on Tuesday for the Waukivory Pilot wells.
Drilling would occur about 600 metres away from homes at Forbesdale and roughly two kilometres from Gloucester, potentially falling under the government’s CSG buffer for residential areas.
http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/agl-seeks-fracking-approval/2673573.aspx
METGASCO has announced to the market that due to “political developments” coal seam gas (CSG) exploration will recommence in the Northern Rivers region.
The company had halted exploration in the Richmond Valley over the last six months citing “major changes” to NSW’s regulatory and administrative procedures as prohibitive to business.
However, following the election of a new federal government and strong pro-CSG rhetoric from both federal and State Ministers, Metgasco says it now has the confidence to proceed.
http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/gas-co-back-in-northern-rivers/2673615.aspx
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Coal and gasPlanning and Development
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