The Greens NSW Resources and Energy spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham said
today that Santos’
lodgement of plans for their Narrabri project would reignite the war
over coal seam gas in NSW and called on the called on the new
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, to clarify whether she will support
the development of a toxic coal seam gas industry in NSW.
Santos
announced today that they have lodged their Environmental Impact
Statement for their proposed Narrabri coal seam gas project with NSW
Planning as well as
a deal with the APA Group to build a new pipeline to connect the project to APA’s existing pipeline between Moomba and Sydney.
“The news that
Santos has lodged their EIS will reignite a massive battle in NSW over
coal seam gas which the farmers and community will win,” Greens MP
Jeremy Buckingham
said.
“Santos has
recently made it clear they have little interest in developing the project
and have instead spun it off into a separate entity, ready for sale.
The government should not allow Santos to jerk people around, waste
their time
and create uncertainty just to fatten up the project for the stock
market.
“This is a huge
test for Premier Berejiklian who should clarify whether she will support
the development of a toxic coal seam gas industry in NSW, when it is
clear it
has no social licence.
“The community
has clearly rejected this unnecessary and unwanted industry because it
will lead to the industrialisation of the landscape and the pollution of
groundwater
resources.
“The NSW
Government were punished for supporting this industry at the last state
election and can expect similar electoral pain if they do not change
course.
“Santos and the
APA Group can expect to be met with persistent non-violent civil
disobedience and direct action should these projects be approved.
“The last
pipeline route met with significant resistance from farmers and APA
should respect landholders who do not want them on their property.
“The Greens will stand up for farmers and the community every step of the way both on the front lines and in parliament.
“The real
drivers and opportunities in our economy are agriculture, tourism and
renewable energy, not a new destructive fossil fuel industry,” Mr
Buckingham concluded.”
1 February 2017
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