Caution over gas moratorium
Northern insight: an example of a coal seam gas field in Queensland. Photo: actiononcoalandgas.org
CAMPAIGNERS have been underwhelmed by a State Government pledge to impose a moratorium on new coal seam gas licenses and approvals for fracking.
The ban, announced by Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, would see a hold on the issuing of all new exploration licenses for coal seam gas until the upcoming national framework proposals have been considered, a hold on all approvals to undertake fracking as part of onshore gas exploration and a ban on the use of BTEX chemicals (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) in any mineral exploration activities in Victoria.
Mirboo North campaigner Brigitte Kat believes the government’s announcement is a smokescreen.
“This is only a temporary moratorium. I think they’re just trying to appease us. That’s what we think over here. What we need is a ban on coal seam gas and coal mining,” she said.
Ms Kat is one of many battling an application for a coal exploratory licence that blankets the whole of her town.
“Everywhere you go in Gippsland there’s coal seam gas wells. There won’t be any tourism, we’ll have poisonous food. Our house won’t be worth any money, and where will our quality of life be? I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I think this is a ploy,” she said.
“They’re just trying to appease us so we all let go and they can get on with it. If the government put a ban on all coal and coal seam gas mining in Victoria then we’d be happy. That’s how we feel. Anything else is just a rouse.”
Environmental campaigner and Bass Coast Shire Council candidate Neil Rankine said the moratorium was “less than what we really desire, but a good start”.
“They’ve carefully worded it to CSG only, whereas there’s fracking happening with tight gas at the moment. There are underground coal gasification and open cut coal licences, which are all threats to the community,” he said.
Mr Rankine said Mr Ryan was finally responding to the “voice of the people”.
“Peter Ryan, in particular, was under incredible pressure. Up until the very last minute, he kept saying there was nothing to worry about, why are you carrying on, mining’s going to be great. But eventually, they just had to cave in,” he said.
Mr Ryan said the new reforms would be reviewed once ongoing work by the states and Commonwealth on a national framework for coal seam gas was completed.
“The national framework process is looking at the best methods for the regulation of the coal seam gas industry, including water management and monitoring, well design and integrity, hydraulic fracturing chemical use and industry and community engagement,” he said.
“In anticipation of the new national standards, the Coalition is toughening already stringent laws to ensure Victoria continues to have the toughest safeguards in Australia.”
Mr Ryan said the Coalition would seek to strengthen resource policy and legislation “to ensure better consideration of mixed land use issues during the application process for coal seam gas exploration”. The government would also use impact statements “where there will be a significant material impact on the environment”.
“Exploration for coal seam gas in Victoria is at a very early stage. There is currently no coal seam gas production in Victoria. While the location of Victoria’s coal existing resources is well known, the amount of any associated gas and the feasibility of extraction are very much unknown,” Mr Ryan said.
“By shielding communities and the environment from potential negative effects, Victoria can open the way for opportunities to provide long term supply of cheap energy, create new local jobs and deliver more economic activity for local communities.
“The community doesn’t want new sources of gas and energy at any price. That’s why the government will ensure that any future development of Victoria’s resources is carried out in a responsible and sustainable manner.”
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