Both the Coalition and now Labor today, are responding to the concerns of farmers and local residents about serious risks to our water supply and our health from coal seam gas mining.
Significantly however, neither of the plans from the major parties will affect current mining approvals and applications. The ALP’s plan also fails to address the risk of dewatering aquifers, water contamination from methane, fugitive emissions as well as the myriad of serious human health impacts caused by coal and gas mining.Cate Faermann, Greens Upper House mining spokesperson said today that she was worried that the government is deliberately confusing the dangerous ‘fracking’ coal seam gas technique with BTEX chemicals, which it now says it will ban. BTEX chemicals are naturally occurring in coal seams and can be released into groundwater and soils during the process of fracking regardless of whether the chemicals are added or not.Residents and farmers can take little comfort from this announcement that only affects future coal seam gas mining. Greens are calling for a complete cessation of all coal seam gas mining projects in NSW,current and future, until proven safe. There needs to be a fully independent scientific inquiry and stronger regulations put in place before these potentially dangerous practices go ahead.
Susan Stock,
Greens Candidate for Lismore
