Sydney Knitting Nannas were alarmed by the response to a letter sent in early June to the Minister for Planning, Paul Scully requesting, among other things, a coal seam gas exclusion zone for the Liverpool Plains.
Recently we received a reply from Clay Preshaw, Executive Director, Energy, Resources and Industry Assessments with a note to contact Stephen O’Donoghue if we had further questions. We were alarmed by their response, and, as they are both advisers to Ministers, we have written again to correct the record. Four other Ministers were sent a copy of our letter and our response.
Preshaw’s letter stated that the former NSW government renewed “a small number of petroleum exploration licenses (PELs) in the Narrabri region”. NSW government MinView mapping shows that PELs were also renewed over parts of the Moree Plains, Gunnedah, Warrumbungle, and Liverpool Plains LGAs as per the following map.
The following is a more detailed map showing that a PEL covers half of the Liverpool Plains.
Preshaw also wrote that “Any future development applications would need to be assessed on their merits, including a detailed consideration of environmental, economic and social factors.” We are, of course, aware of that. But it is self-evident that coal seam gas should be ruled out in NSW’s most productive food bowl – just like it is for residential areas, horse studs and wine regions. Our farmers need to get on with producing food, instead of wasting their time and energy fighting the gas industry and the government.
We are alarmed that it appears the advice given to Paul Scully as the responsible Minister as well as to us as concerned citizens contains serious misinformation that could have immense negative consequences for the state. We have urged Minister Scully to instigate a review of the exploration licences across the Liverpool Plains in the context of the need for a coal seam gas exclusion zone to protect the Liverpool Plains, our best agricultural land.
We have asked for a Ministerial response to this request in view of the serious issues we have raised with the misinformation provided previously by a Departmental official.
Join the Sydney Coal Seam Gas Rally on Thursday 14 September starting at Customs House at Circular Quay at 11.30am and march to parliament to deliver a powerful and united message that we must protect land, water, culture and climate by stopping coal seam gas. Organised by Gomeroi, NSW Farmers, NSW Country Women’s Association (CWA), Unions NSW and Lock the Gate. For more information
Facebook Event
Watch the video