Residents rally against CSG drilling

Residents voiced their concerns about the approval of coal seam gas (CSG) exploration in St Peters in a protest near the site on Sunday, December 19.

Over 100 residents and campaigners rallied against the proposed drilling by Apollo Gas, claiming environmental and health concerns are being ignored.

The action coincides with the NSW Government’s introduction of new rules governing CSG exploration, including “more rigorous” community consultation and “tighter” environmental controls for new drilling applications.

But the new rules have come too late for residents of St Peters, where drilling was approved in 2008.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said despite the introduction of new rules, final approval will still remain with the Department of Industries and Investment.

“There will be some modest notification processes going forward,” he said.

“[But] of course the final approval will remain with the Department of Industries and Investment, which is one of the most pro-mining government bodies in NSW.”

City of Sydney Greens Councillor Irene Doutney said drilling for CSG is unimaginable.

“To me, it is the height of insanity to be drilling a hole for coal seam gas in the middle of the city,” she said.

“It has to be brought to everyone’s attention and it has to be stopped.”

Local resident Annie Wright expressed concerns with the proposed exploratory drilling taking place 300 metres from a school and her home.

“Methane is a deadly gas,” she said.

“With no community or council consultation, it is so sneaky. I just think it’s crazy that no-one has any idea this is going on.”

Mr Shoebridge attributed the introduction of new rules to growing community concerns but said more had to be done.

“We are hoping to show the strong and growing community resolve to stop this destructive coal seam gas industry from running across the state,” he said.

“We are seeing this industry run rampant across our prime agricultural land in NSW.”

City of Sydney Greens Councillor Chris Harris said drilling for CSG would not reduce emissions.

“It is not actually going to reduce our emissions, because just getting the gas will virtually eliminate all the advantages of using it,” he said.

Cr Harris condemned the State Government’s approval, saying The Greens want a full moratorium on CSG mining and exploration until environmental and health effects are adequately assessed.

“The big question is, are the politicians acting in your interest or in the interest of Macquarie Energy?” he said.

“We will use every resource possible to ensure the City of Sydney does not use one kilogram of coal seam gas, because coal seam gas is unknown, unregulated and it’s unsafe.”

Under the new rules, exploratory proposals will be considered by four state departments, and chemicals with potential to threaten groundwater purity will be banned.

“The reality is natural gas is an important part of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources into the future,” Premier Kristina Keneally said in a statement issued in response to the protest.

“However, it is important to get the balance right: managing our natural resources in an environmentally responsible way, with extensive community consultation, while moving the industry forward to a cleaner source of power.”

by Sophie Cousins