on September 12.
* * *
Along with yesterday鈥檚 release of the NSW Strategic Regional Land Use Policy, came the offer to renew 22 coal seam gas (CSG) exploration licences in NSW, including four in the Illawarra. These licences cover more than five million hectares in NSW. A new CSG production licence was also granted in Casino, and the freeze on fracking was lifted.
Stop CSG Illawarra spokesperson, Jess Moore commented: 鈥淭he state government has given the green light to CSG in NSW. All exploration licences in the Illawarra have been renewed, including one in the drinking water catchment.
鈥淐ommunities have made it clear that science must come before development, and that land and water must be protected. Instead, fracking's back on and exploration across five million hectares in NSW has been renewed.
鈥淣o part of NSW 鈥 not the land where food is grown, not our water catchments 鈥 is off limits to CSG development.
鈥淥鈥橣arrell promised to ban exploration and mining in the drinking water catchment. This was 鈥 quite clearly 鈥 a lie.
鈥滵ressed up in words like 鈥榩rotection鈥 these changes are nothing short of betrayal. They put land, water and communities at risk.
鈥淐SG mining involves land clearing, gas leaks, contaminated water and industrial development.
鈥淭he offer to renew PEL 444 makes it clear that the government thinks CSG profits are more important than safe drinking water.
鈥淲e need a science-first approach to CSG, that puts facts before development. Catchments should be protected and fracking should be ruled out.
鈥淲ater is more important than gas.鈥