Concerned residents met with Dart Energy last week to discuss plans for the proposed exploratory well approved for St Peters.
Members from the Sydney Residents Against Coal Seam Gas (SRACSG) raised their concerns about the drilling and how it would impact the local area.
“We are alarmed to find out that there are no requirements for licensing under the Water Act to drill exploration coreholes,” said SRACSG spokesperson Jacinta Green.
Ms Green was particularly worried about drilling “through the very fragile Botany Aquifer Sands.”
“The government needs to make sure water is protected no matter what the activity proposed,” said Enmore resident Kate Ausburn.
Exploration Operations Manager from Dart Energy, Jason Needham, said if the results of the exploratory well were as expected “St Peters could be one of a series of production wells across Sydney.
“Production could last for around 10 years [at St Peters],” he added.
The current plan is to drill 24 hours a day but Mr Needham said community consultation could see this number drop to only 12 hours per day.
“We are keen to work out solutions with the community,” said Dart Energy Australia County Manager Robbert de Weijer.
Dart Energy indicated it would organise a series of public forums to address concerns from the community.
Mr de Weijer said the meetings would “provide opportunities to share further details and work out how we can best minimise impact for local residents.”
The meeting came a week after the NSW Greens party launched its bid to shut down the coal seam gas industry. The Greens are currently tabling a bill to impose a 12 month moratorium on drilling.
