~ Glen Schaefer ~
9 November, 2012 3:22PM AEDT
NSW response 'gives CSG green-light'
The Government has issued its response to the upper house inquiry that travelled around NSW last summer hearing community concerns about coal seam gas.
It was billed as an inquiry that would strike a balance
between the interests of coal seam gas companies, landholders, the
environment and the state.
However many of the 35 recommendations made by the Upper House
Inquiry into Coal Seam Gas appear to have been overlooked by the
Government in its response. The committee called for more scientific data to be made publicly available, for the rights of landholders to be strengthened in negotiations with mining companies, and for stricter environmental controls to be placed on exploration and production licences.
 |
| English: Jeremy Buckingham, elected to NSW upper house for NSW Greens (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
"It's a re-hash of what the Government announced with its strategic regional land-use plans and it goes no way to addressing in full the very strong recommendations of the inquiry," he said.
"Many of the elements of the inquiry remain unaddressed and it's just another indication that this government is green-lighting coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers and across NSW."
Mr Buckingham says the Government has failed to release a review of the use of 'fracking' (hydraulic fracturing) conducted by the NSW Chief Scientist despite a recommendation by the committee for greater transparency, particularly with regard to scientific analyses.
"We were called on by the Government to do baseline data analysis, to do analysis of fugitive emissions, all kinds of things were recommended; the Government has ignored those," he said.
The Government has also announced a review of the Onshore Petroleum Act which governs the industry.
"There's no indication the community will get a say in how that act is re-written and what that means," said Mr Buckingham.
"That's a really important announcement from the Government and another indication that they are disempowering the community, the recommendations have been ignored, and they are trying to roll-out coal seam gas as fast as possible."
Asked whether industry concerns of a 'bubble' in the gas market which could affect the industry and gas prices on the East Coast were valid, Mr Buckingham scoffed.
"That is complete and utter garbage," he said.
"The reality is Santos and Exxon have signed long-term contacts to export Australia's natural gas from
 |
| Marcellus Shale Gas Well (Photo credit: wcn247) |
"That is what is creating a pinch in supply."
The response was met with disappointment by anti-coal seam gas activists.
Boudicca Cerese from the Northern Rivers Lock the Gate Alliance says the response is a failure.
"It seems to continue the Government agenda of fast-tracking the CSG industry across the state with just a few more hoops for the industry to jump through," she said.
"They're saying they have all these policies, nothing has been regulated yet so the aquifer interference plan, there's still no regulation with any of it so I guess the next thing is to see what regulations they do bring in."
Ms Cerese says the Lock the Gate Alliance will continue direct, non-violent protests such as the demonstrations earlier this week at the Casino Airport where Metgasco was conducting seismic testing.
"The CSG-free community strategy rolling out across the region is really enabling local communities to become engaged in the whole debate and say 'no we don't want this industry in our region,'" she said.
The Minister for Energy and Resources Chris Hartcher, and the Chairman of the Committee, Shooters MLC Robert Brown were contacted for comment but were not available.
ABC Mid North Coast
 |
| Northern Rivers Houses (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
 |
| English: German-production-of-coal-mine-methane; coal; coal seam gas; methane; Germany (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
 |
| Miguelito Shale fractured layers at bluff at Montana de Oro 18 Aug 2010 (Photo credit: mikebaird) |
 |
| Ban Fracking and shale gas in Europe before it is too late! (Photo credit: greensefa) |
 |
| Ban Fracking and shale gas in Europe before it is too late! (Photo credit: greensefa) |
 |
| Ban Fracking and shale gas in Europe before it is too late! (Photo credit: greensefa) |
 |
| "The Greens" - The Greens NSW Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
 |
| Ban Fracking and shale gas in Europe before it is too late! (Photo credit: greensefa) NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said Mr MacDonald has also held a coal seam gas forum in his home town, Armidale, and invited Santos to speak. |
No comments:
Post a Comment