[Greens-Media] Liverpool Plains blockade a result of failure to protect farmers from coal seam gas

[Max Phillips]

Liverpool Plains blockade a result of failure to protect farmers from coal seam gas

27 October 2011

Greens mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham has thrown the Greens support behind a blockade that started today on the Liverpool Plains against coal seam gas miner Santos, describing the move as the inevitable result of government's failure to listen to the community and act on their concerns.
 
Mr Buckingham said, "The Government has failed to respond to the legitimate concerns of the community about the risk coal seam gas mining presents to our precious water resources.
 
"The Government's Strategic Regional Land Use Policy is clearly failing to address the land use conflict in NSW and the community is losing confidence in the Government's plan.
 
"The message to the government is clear, if they don't take action to prevent damage to our agricultural and environmental assets from coal seam gas mining, the community will take direct action.
 
"Resources Minister Chris Hartcher has clearly lost control of his portfolio. The Premier, Barry O'Farrell needs to step in and put in place a moratorium now.  
 
"The demand from communities all over the state is the same, they want a moratorium on coal seam gas until the environmental, health, social and economic impacts are better understood.
 
"It makes no sense that the government would continue to allow exploration and pilot production activities while the parliament is conducting an inquiry into the risks of the coal seam gas industry.
  
"The Namoi Water Study is only months from being completed.No coal or coal seam gas exploration or mining should be allowed until the outcomes of the study are finalised.
 
"The Government has been caught before trying to sideline this important study to allow mining to occur in the Liverpool Plains region.The community is right to take this action to ensure it protects its water supply.
 
"I plan to visit the blockade as soon as possible," Mr Buckingham said.

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916