In a move that shocked the Nannas the Minns government announced that the Far West of NSW is open for gas exploration projects. What are they thinking?
More gas projects won’t improve our energy security, especially when new projects take up to ten years to deliver gas.
Sydney Knitting Nannas are determined to keep gas production out of NSW. We’ll be at parliament house on Tuesday morning as parliament resumes to oppose gas and call on the Minns government to get on with the transition to renewables and to adopt a plan to reduce demand for gas. Now is the time to speed up the move away from fossil fuels so we become independent from energy shocks from the outside world as soon as possible.
We are in furious agreement with farmers expressing concerns about the risk to agriculture and water resources in the Far West. By the time this gas is in production demand will be much lower than it is now.
The government says the application fee for an exploration licence will be slashed from $50,000 to $1000 for the Bancannia and Pondie Range Troughs in far west NSW. The Land newspaper warns that “$1000 cowboys will cause biosecurity risks”. We’ve seen that before in the Pilliga.
Gas is a finite source of energy. It’s not sustainable, it pollutes, and impacts human health.
“The [government’s] decision is being justified on the basis that the state is facing an ‘energy shortfall’, even though the Australian Energy Market Operator has made clear that the emergence of renewables and particularly battery storage means less gas fired generation than previously forecast will be required in coming years.” (Renew Economy)
Usually Knitting Nannas and Friends welcome all the pollies back after a break, but this time our welcome will be to MPs who are prepared to stand up for a transition away from fossil fuels – which means spelling out that encouraging new gas projects anywhere in NSW is just not on.
Join a determination of Sydney Knitting Nannas
Tuesday 5 May from 11am
Cnr of Martin Place and Macquarie Street
The Minns Labor Government opens new areas for gas exploration in NSW (Ministerial media release)
Gas exploration rush: warnings ‘$1000 cowboys’ will cause biosecurity risks (The Land)