Hunter Environment under threat from Coal and Gas

Media Release
The Wilderness Society Newcastle Inc
9 March 2011

The Wilderness Society Newcastle has called for sweeping changes to how the environmental impacts of coal and coal seam gas developments are addressed, at a Coal and Gas Strategy meeting held yesterday in Singleton.

[To listen to the story on ABC PM click here]

“The Coal Seam Gas industry is currently beginning a gigantic experiment with the groundwater of large swathes of NSW. We are told that the industry is safe for water supplies, safe for the environment, and safe for human health. Experiences from the U.S. and Queensland show that the environmental and health impacts of coal seam gas are potentially massive” said Warrick Jordan, Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society Newcastle.

“This is not the clean, green industry in the glossy brochures that AGL, Eastern Star Gas and Santos are showing people in Gloucester, Broke, and the Liverpool Plains” Warrick Jordan said.

“Coal seam gas companies can wreck aquifers, dump huge quantities of salt, and introduce toxic chemicals into groundwater with virtually no accountability. Metgasco’s aggressive response to the confirmation of recent methane leaks in the Casino area demonstrates an industry that does not understand environmental responsibility” Warrick Jordan said.

“At the recent Gunnedah consultation meeting, Tony Kelly failed to change the perception that the ALP is beholden to coal and gas interests” Warrick Jordan said.

“The NSW Government’s Coal and Gas Strategy continues to treat environmental issues as problems to be managed in the wake of the coal and coal seam gas industry. The environment, communities, and regional economies can’t be treated as collateral damage to an untouchable industry” Warrick Jordan said.
 
“If it can’t be proven beyond doubt that a development will not impact on the environment, a community, or existing industries, it should not go ahead. It’s as simple as that” Warrick Jordan said.

“Water supplies, biodiversity, and communities should be the first things considered when looking at land use. The profits of large corporations should be the last” Warrick Jordan said.

“The Wilderness Society hopes that the post-election government hears the message from rural communities and conservationists – regulation of coal and coal seam gas must place water, the environment, and people first” concluded Warrick Jordan.

Media Contact: Warrick Jordan, Campaigns Manager, The Wilderness Society Newcastle, 0451 633 197

For environmentally sound policies on coal and coal seam gas in NSW, please see pg 16 of the Wilderness Society-supported NSW joint environment groups’ election agenda, Natural Advantage.