Issue 150 3 October, 2018
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Decision brings an end to gas exploration on the Central Coast T
he Australian Coal Alliance, the first community group in Australia to fight coal seam gas exploration and drilling, has welcomed the NSW Government’s buybackandcancellation of Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 461, bringing an end to gas exploration on the Central Coast.
The ACA’s, Alan Hayes, said it was an excellent thing for the community to stop Coal Seam Gas. “The Dooralong and Yarramalong communities were the first people in Australia to fight Coal Seam Gas 14 years ago,” Hayes said. “We were successful, we were the first people in this country to bring a halt to Coal Seam Gas.” Hayes said the fight took 15 months, and the mining company already had “two gas wells and the flaring pipes going” in the valleys. “When you came in there at night, it was so bright it was unbelievable,” he said. “They were fracking like crazy.” According to Hayes, locals acquired shares in the publicly listed Sydney Gas and gave their voting proxies to members of the media who also held shares. “So we got all the media
Trees affected by Coal Seam Gas extraction in the Pilliga into the AGM and they have made that move community opposition. could not do anything is because they want to Greens Resources garner votes, and they spokesperson, Jeremy about it,” Hayes said. “That is when we want to win the seats of Buckingham, called on stronger action from both fired up with the hard Swansea and Wyong. “I wish them all the luck, the NSW and Federal questions. “Because of the media but I don’t think they are governments to protect campaign, we were able going to be successful, communities against the to drive the share price because people have impacts of coal seam gas from $1.27 to around 23 long memories about activities. what this Government He said the NSW cents a share.” has done. Government should Sydney Gas had to “If they are serious cancel the remaining enter into an agreement with the community not to about winning those coal seam gas licence do any further drilling and seats they need to be covering Santos’s megaalso to ensure legislation mindful of their ‘no ifs, no gas field proposal in the was enacted excising the buts guarantee’ and bring Pilliga, and the Federal to a screaming halt the Government must halt valleys from the PEL. “Under the Petroleum Wallarah II mine before gas exploration off the Central Coast. Exploration Lease, they the next election. “They need to do what “The buyback and can come in and have they said they were going cancellation of the PEL office buildings, they can to do and stand up and 461 exploration licence have roads everywhere, be counted as decent is a great win for the and you have no rights. politicians. local community and all “In any event, the who have joined the fi ght The NSW Greens ACA does welcome welcomed the to protect our land and the decision by the also Government future from coal seam Berejiklian Government NSW announcement that it had gas,” he said. to cancel the PEL. “But there is important “It is a move in the right cancelled the PEL 461 coal seam gas exploration and unfinished business direction, but I suspect licence on the Central when it comes to the only reason they Coast, following strong protecting communities
from the dangers of coal seam gas exploration and production. “The Central Coast community does not support an offshore gasfield off its coastline that would put at risk whales, marine life and threaten valuable fisheries. “Prime Minister Scott Morrison should prohibit offshore gas and oil development off the NSW coast. “All NSW communities deserve equal protection from the risks of coal seam gas, farmers and landholders need safety as much as urban communities in marginal electorates. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Scot MacDonald, welcomed the announcement made on Wednesday, September 26, by NSW Minister for Resources, Don Harwin. PEL 461, granted in 2008, covered about 15,000 hectares around Wyee, Budgewoi and Swansea, and was owned by Our Energy Group Pty Ltd. “The NSW Government made a commitment to the community to cancel all petroleum exploration licences in the area,” Minister Harwin said. “With the buy-back and cancellation of PEL 461, we have ensured that no gas exploration can take place on the NSW Central Coast,” he said. “The cancellation
of Labor’s gas exploration licence removes uncertainty for the communities of the Central Coast,” MacDonald said. “Labor indiscriminately handed out gas exploration licences across most of the State. “The NSW Liberal National Government has removed PELs in inappropriate regions of the State. “David Harris MP was part of the toxic, irresponsible Labor Government that allowed this PEL to be approved in 2008. “This Gas exploration licence adjoined his electorate then, and he failed to stand up for his community. “The NSW Liberal National Government has a sensible NSW Gas Plan in action. “We have reset the industry to ensure it moves forward on this government’s terms. “The NSW Government has now reduced the footprint of coal seam gas (CSG) exploration from more than 60 per cent of the state under Labor, to less than seven per cent,” Mr Harwin said. Source: Interview, Sep 27 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance Media release, Sep 26 Jane Garcia, office of Jeremy Buckingham Media release, Sep 26 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald Jackie Pearson, journalist
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