Coal Seam Gas Inquiry Report - NSW Parliament - May 2012

Coal seam mining in Qld

The NSW Parliament's Inquiry into Coal Seam Gas Mining in NSW released its' report this week and there are a few surprises contained in the 35 recommendations and findings in the 300 page document. While the Legislative Council committee (bipartisan in composition with members of the Liberal, Labor, Greens and other parties) did support the concept and need for coal seam mining, there was clear recognition of the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework and the urgent need for one to be implemented. Amongst the other recommendations: conduct regional-scale water assessments in NSW as a matter of priority; no new production licences be issued until a  regulatory framework exists; the current ban on the use of 'fracking' be maintained until NICNAS (the Federal Government's chemical registration scheme) has carried out an evaluation of the chemicals used; greater legal rights and access control for landholders; stronger controls and accountability for coal seam mining companies including site remediation; the establishment of a Petroleum Ombudsman, a Complaints Hotline and greater regulatory controls for the Environmental Protection Authority and the portfolio Department.

The Inquiry was particularly critical of of the lack of genuine community engagement noting that "community consultation appears to have been inconsistent, poorly timed and restrictive,.."The Inquiry also stated "that it cannot dismiss evidence that some operators have attempted to pressure landholders for access nor the possibility that companies may force access in the future.." In a damning indictment, the Inquiry found that a previously dismissed incident of the pollution of Pilliga Forest by Eastern Star Gas was, in fact, proven correct. Coal seam gas arguably is one of the most unknown mining methods with potentially enormous risks to both the environment and access to water for the community. With drilling occuring within Sydney's own aquifer system, the implementation of this report is an urgent priority.

The full report can be found at this link: http://bit.ly/IiFlfl