24 March, 2014
Labor’s Central Coast CSG policies would provide welcome protections for drinking water and wildlife
The Nature Conservation Council has welcomed Labor’s coal seam gas policy for the Central Coast but has called for it to take a more far-reaching approach.
“Labor’s CSG policy on the Central Coast is a big step in the right direction as it will protect the core areas of the drinking water catchment,” NCC Campaigns Director Daisy Barham said.
“However, both major parties must commit to cancelling the petroleum exploration licence (PEL) that covers the Central Coast drinking water catchment once and for all.
“Only by cancelling PEL 2 can families on the Central Coast be confident that this dirty polluting industry will not gain a foothold in this beautiful part of the state.
“Cancelling PEL 2, which covers much of the Mountains District and the precious water catchment, is the only way to guarantee our pure drinking water, unspoiled bushland and unique wildlife are protected.”
Ms Barham welcomed Labor’s commitment to:
- Place an immediate moratorium on CSG activity on the Central Coast;
- Create permanent no-go zones around homes and national parks; and
- Permanently ban CSG in core drinking water catchments of the Central Coast.
“These are very important steps, and we invite the Coalition to match or enhance these policies as a constructive way forward,” Ms Barham said.
“All parties should declare the drinking-water catchment, special natural areas, farmlands and residential areas of the Central Coast coal and coal seam gas no-go zones to restore the community’s faith in our decision makers.
“The proposed Wallarah 2 coal mine still looms as a threat to the Central Coast’s drinking water supply despite a promise before the 2011 election to protect the catchment from mining.”
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Coal and gas
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