[Greens-Media] O'Farrell must protect water catchment from hundreds of coal seam gas wells

[Max Phillips]

JEREMY BUCKINGHAM MLC - MEDIA RELEASE

7 September 2012

O'Farrell must protect water catchment from hundreds of coal seam gas wells

NSW Greens mining spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham has called on Premier Barry O'Farrell to reject plans by APEX Energy to drill hundreds of coal seam gas in Sydney's drinking water catchment.
 
APEX Energy's exploration licence expires on 22 September 2012.  They have applied for a three year extension to drill up to 20 wells, but have admitted they want to drill 150-200 coal seam gas wells to supply 20% of greater Sydney's gas needs for 20 years.
 
"Barry O'Farrell has a critical decision to make: approve the development of poisonous coal seam gas wells in our drinking water catchments and suburbs, or reject APEX's extension and protect these areas," said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.
 
"This government as already approved coal seam gas in the suburbs of Campbelltown and at Fullerton Cove near Newcastle. Will the precious water supply area for millions of people be next?"
 
"The newly elected Liberal members for these areas, Lee Evans, Jai Rowell, and Brian Doyle have done nothing to protect their communities.  Why won't they take a stand and tell the Premier to cancel this licence?"
 
"Currently AGL have drilled 130 gas wells to provide 5% of gas in NSW.  To supply 20% of gas, over a 20 year period, with expectations of an increase in gas usage, would mean many hundreds, if not thousands of gas wells around Heathcote, Campbelltown and in our drinking water catchment," he said.
 
Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916