CSG

May 28 2017

Maules Creek CWA move for CSG Ban in NSW

Maules Creek branch of CWA successfully move policy at State Conference to BAN unconventional gas. The motion was passed on the 25th of May, day 1 of the 3 day conference.

The motion said:

“That the policy of the CWA of NSW shall be to support a ban on unconventional gas exploration, extraction and production.”

The vote was carried by a clear majority of 281 to 193.

It is the second year in a row that a vote on unconventional gas was passed with a clear majority, with the 2016 conference calling for a moratorium on unconventional gas until it could be proven to be safe.

Congratulations to the Maules Creek branch and their delegates, who have led the way again on CSG.

We now await further statements from John Barilaro, leader of the national party who said only days earlier that the industry should be expanded in NSW.

By • Uncategorized • • Tags: , , , ,

Jul 31 2013

NSW Chief Scientist acknowledges long, difficult road ahead for CSG

Lock the Gate Alliance has responded to the initial report on CSG by the NSW Chief Scientist, Mary O’Kane, in which she urges great caution with any roll-out of the industry, by calling for the an immediate moratorium on CSG until concerns she raises relating to subsidence and underground water have been fully researched.

Professor O’Kane’s report makes it clear that the State should accept nothing less than world’s best practice if the industry were to go ahead and that this would involve substantial baseline studies and cumulative impacts of multiple developments, and she has also acknowledged “wide-ranging community concerns about CSG”.

Professor O’Kane also highlighted the importance of developing an effective regulatory framework, including adequate resources for further research, monitoring and compliance by the state.

Lock the Gate Alliance president, Drew Hutton, said that while the report by Professor O’Kane confirms the concerns that have been raised by the community, it fell short on recommending rigorous baseline monitoring and a precautionary approach to prevent any damage before CSG mining commences.

“If we allow the O’Farrell government to follow the Queensland example and let the industry start up without all the safeguards Professor O’Kane is recommending, then we will see all the same health and environmental problems as Queensland is beginning to experience,” Mr Hutton said.

Mr Hutton said he was concerned that the report did not address direct impacts on agriculture, and noted it was important that the next report by Professor O’Kane dealt thoroughly with ‘no go’ zones for food-producing lands.

“Ultimately, government policy must acknowledge there are some existing land uses that are incompatible with mining and therefore, coal seam gas must be ruled out of areas like good farm land, settlements and sensitive environments.

“Mines Minister, Chris Hartcher, has made it clear he will try all sorts of backdoor tactics to fast-track mining but he needs to be pulled into line by Premier “O”Farrell.

“Professor O’Kane’s call for caution should be taken seriously by the New South Wales government.”

By • Uncategorized • • Tags: , , , , ,

May 21 2013

Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas

21 May 2013
Media Release

Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas

A broad range of farmers and community members concerned about the impacts of new mining and coal seam gas proposals across NSW North West are expressing their support for the Gomeroi Native Title claimants in their recent stance to halt all mining in the region.

The Gomeroi Native Title claimants are the latest group to publicly oppose coal seam gas in the North West, joining a range of farmers, town residents, conservationists and Church Ministers in the battle.

“I have the greatest respect for the stand made by the Gomeroi people, working to make sure this magnificent land remains healthy and capable of supporting humans, and also fauna and flora,” said Tambar Springs farmer David Quince.

“The Gomeroi Native Claimants provide a timely reminder to us all to hold reverence to the environment which we and future generations must safeguard,” he said.

“I am delighted to support the stand of the Gomeroi people,” said Anne Kennedy of Coonamble and representative of the North West Alliance.

“In our area, Wun-Gali representatives have resolved to declare a moratorium on all coal seam gas activities on their traditional lands and in the Coonamble Shire until such time as it is proven that CSG activities will not have a detrimental effect on the Great Artesian Basin.”

“We need to ensure our water resources are protected and stop the North West from becoming an industrial gasland. We are all deeply concerned and will continue to work together to protect this region, its cultural heritage and our water supply,” she said.

“Gomeroi people join and strengthen the chorus of voices that want to see a pause on mining and coal seam gas activities in the North West,” said Naomi Hogan of the Wilderness Society.

“There are so many good reasons why mining development needs to slow down, to ensure the community is having a say over the future of the land, and to ensure public health and clean water is being put first.”

“The coal seam gas drilling catastrophe in the Pilliga forest, along with the growing open cut coal destruction in the Leard Forest has fuelled growing concerns for the future of the region if mining continues unabated.”

The Gomeroi calls to halt mining come as hundreds formally object to a proposed Santos coal seam gas workers camp for Gunnedah and over half a million hectares of the Liverpool Plains have been declared gas field free by community vote.

By • Uncategorized • • Tags: , , , , , , , ,