Changes to the coal seam gas exploration approval process to be announced today (SMH http://bit.ly/dGsmAn) by the NSW government are a modest step forward.
However they fail to protect our prime agricultural farmland and aquifers from the expansion of the coal seam gas industry, Greens
MP David Shoebridge says.
“The government has been forced to react to the widespread community campaign against this destructive industry. Residents, farmers and
campaigners should be congratulated for achieving this first modest step forward,” Mr Shoebridge said
“At long last there is some involvement of DECCW (the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) in the process.
“The government continues to give complete approval power to the pro-mining Industry and Investment NSW. That department can simply
ignore any advice it gets from DECCW.
“This package falls a long way short of giving DECCW the concurrent approval power that farmers and environmentalists have been calling
for.
“The government has failed to adopt the NSW Farmers Association’s call for a pause on coal seam gas exploration and mining. That pause would
allow us to assess all the potential risks – to take stock of our agricultural land to ensure we are not destroying the food bowls of
future generations. Instead we are continuing with an ad hoc approval process with inadequate safeguards.
“Meanwhile, communities across the state are under siege by gas companies who are benefiting from this rubber-stamping process through
Industry & Investment NSW,” Mr Shoebridge said.
Residents, farmers and campaigners are gathering in Sydney this morning to protest the coal seam gas industry and an already approved
drill site in St Peters. The protest will be held at 11AM, near the corner of Campbell Road and Euston Street, St Peters.
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Should tests produce enough methane, we could blow up Barangaroo.