TRYING to ensure coal seam gas (CSG) is not a state election issue will not wash with those opposed to development of the industry locally.
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Hunter Valley Protection Alliance spokesman Graeme Gibson described last week’s announcement by the NSW Government to place a 12-month freeze on Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications (PELAs) as a move to
diffuse the CSG controversy until after the March 2015 NSW election.
“The government wants to make sure CSG is not a big election issue like it was during the last election in 2011,” he said.
“That’s what this freeze is all about.
“If the government was serious about protection for strategic land such as the Broke-Fordwich wine growing area it would legislate to protect the area.”
Mr Gibson said before the last election the Liberal and National parties both said and wrote to his organisation
saying they would ensure the Broke-Fordwich area would be protected from CSG development.
“This has not happened,” he told The Argus.
“We have what we describe as a Swiss cheese approach with certain parts
protected and others likely to be turned into an industrial wasteland.
“Our aim is to ensure CSG development is a major issue during the upcoming election campaign and hold our elected representatives to their pledges.
“It’s simply not good enough to say one thing during the campaign and do the complete opposite once elected.”
Mr Gibson said his group wanted to hold talks with the NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts and, once confirmed, the candidates for seat of Upper Hunter.
“Before the election we aim to have a very good idea what these candidates propose to do about our area and CSG,” he said.
The freeze on PELAs and Petroleum Special Prospecting Authority applications (a PSPA is a desktop or geoscientific survey) will be in place until September 26, 2015.
The NSW Government has refused 10 PELAs since March, in regions across the state.
Mr Roberts said the extended timeframe will allow the Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) to complete its comprehensive examination of current PELAs and allow the Government to further assess the application process for petroleum titles.
Today, the NSW Chief Scientist Professor Mary O’Kane will release her Coal Seam Gas Review.
In February 2013, Professor O’Kane was directed by the former Premier Barry O'Farrell to conduct a comprehensive review of CSG-related activities, focusing on the human health and environment impacts.
