[Greens-Media] Giant gas project will risk endangered species in the Pilliga Scrub

[Peter Stahel]

Giant gas project will risk endangered species in the Pilliga Scrub

NSW Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the
referral of a gas field in northern NSW as a 'controlled action' under
the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act
marks the beginning of a huge campaign to keep mining projects out of
conservation areas.

The proposal from Eastern Star Gas, headed by former Nationals Leader
John Anderson, is for a massive coal seam gas field of over 550 wells
and associated infrastructure including extensive pipelines.

"Conservationists and residents have a big fight on their hands to
save the Pilliga Scrub," said Ms Faehrmann.

"The Pilliga Scrub is an area of significant ecological and
biodiversity value. This unique area is the largest remaining
temperate woodland in NSW and contains many threatened animal and
plant species such as the Pilliga Mouse, Black-striped Wallaby and
South-eastern Long-eared Bat.

"The gas project is set to clear over 2,400 hectares of native
vegetation and will forever change the landscape of the Pilliga.

"This initial proposal is likely just the tip of the iceberg. It seems
inevitable, given the size of the coal seams beneath the Pilliga Scrub
,that if allowed to proceed the gas field will be expanded
dramatically over time until there are several thousand wells," said
Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727