[Greens-Media] Greens secure release of government papers on coal seam gas

[Peter Stahel]

Greens secure release of government papers on coal seam gas 

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has this morning successfully moved a motion to release all documents relating to environmental or water quality impacts from chemical use in coal seam gas exploration and extraction. 

The NSW Ministers and Departments for Planning, Environment, Mineral Resources and the Sydney Catchment Authority have 21 days to release all relevant documents.

"Local communities have the right to know what is being put into the groundwater they rely upon. The fact that in Queensland, where 17 rigs across a 40-kilometre wide area have been shut down due to contaminated water being found near drilling sites is cause for serious concern," said Ms Faehrmann.

"The NSW Government has fallen behind other jurisdictions in regulating the coal seam gas industry. Hopefully the release of this information will kick start the process.

"There should be a moratorium in place on all coal seam gas exploration and extraction until it can be proven safe to our water supplies. The risks are too great. The precautionary principle should apply," said Ms Faehrmann.

In a speech to the Legislative Council on Tuesday night, Ms Faehrmann admonished the government for failing to properly investigate the environmental impacts of coal seam gas. A copy of that speech and today's motion are available on request.
 
Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727