Stop CSG Illawarra released the statement below on March 6. Read more of Green Left's extensive coverage of coal seam gas mining and the campaign against it.
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The NSW Government today released its long awaited Strategic Regional Land Use Plan and Aquifer Interference Policy; initiatives that the public was told would address concerns about the compatibility of coal seam gas (CSG) with other land uses, and protect water, health, agriculture and the environment.
It’s a disaster and a broken election promise.
Quite simply, the government has ignored the Illawarra and failed to protect drinking water catchments from the risks posed by CSG.
The community has waited a long time for Barry O’Farrell to take action and protect water, health, agriculture and the environment. These plans do not do this. In fact, they facilitate ongoing development of the industry.
Despite a promise to rule out sensitive areas, no areas are off limits to CSG under the new plans; every part of NSW is still up for grabs.
While the plans add a new assessment panel to the approval process for CSG mining on farmland, wineries and horse studs, our water catchments – astoundingly – don’t even get a mention.
Drilling and fracking are still allowed in NSW water catchments under the new plans and approvals can still be granted without an independent scientific assessment. So the Illawarra project can continue unimpeded, despite enormous public opposition.
The fact remains: water resources are at risk and the government is not stopping it. There is now more than enough evidence that CSG mining brings risks. The contamination of water systems and supplies and farmland show the need for an immediate moratorium on all CSG projects and a royal commission into the full impacts of the industry.
Ironically, the NSW government site invites you to “have your say” regarding this policy. It goes on to explain in the “FAQ” how new guidelines are in place to “ensure the community is heard” and requires “evidence that effective community consultation has been undertaken”.
We ask, to what end? How much louder do we have to get before we are heard? It is nothing but lip-service and an insult. To all of us. To each and every one of the thousands who have gathered on the beach, walked in protest and signed petitions.
Don’t just get mad. Get involved.
