Disappointing News of the NSW government giving the go ahead for the CSG industry.

Adam Guise has kindly prepared this response to the latest sad CSG news. Well, we knew it wasn't going to be easy to stop this thing- but please don't
be disheartened-we are clever, respurceful, patient and persistant and we are NEVER giving up- we will stop them if we stay strong, and stay together.

This just makes me more determined, how about you?
Ollie.
Now, over to Adam......
Dear All,

You may be aware of the disappointing news of the NSW government giving the go ahead for the CSG industry.

Here's the official government media release here: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/443123/Proposed-petroleum-exploration-licence-offers-of-renewal.pdf

Here's media reports:

Echonetdaily report: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://echonetdaily.echo.net.au/metgasco-gets-production-licence/

Northern Star: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2012/09/11/nsw-govt-gives-metgasco-green-light/

The Australian: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/barry-ofarrell-opens-the-door-to-csg-industry/story-fn59niix-1226472155218

ABC: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/coal-seam-gas-green-light/4257320?section=business

Sydney Morning Herald: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.smh.com.au/environment/entire-state-up-for-grabs-in-coal-seam-gas-and-mining-rules-20120911-25qnj.html

Metgasco announcement: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.metgasco.com.au/files/1145729.pdf

The most significant outcome is the decision to renew 22 coal seam gas licences, including Metgasco's PEL 13 & 16, and issue a production licence (PPL) which will allow Metgasco to go ahead with extensive drilling operations to supply its proposed power station.

Coupled with this is the release of the government's proposed policies to regulate the industry: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://www.nsw.gov.au/strategicregionallanduse

Key critiques of these policies remain:

> it ignores the 87% poll vote opposed to coal seam gas in the Lismore LGA and other actions throughout the State, significantly the Fullerton blockade

> it does not provide for "no go zones", therefore leaving most land open to coal seam gas mining through a gateway process

> fracking ban has been lifted

> leaves proposed strategic agricultural land unmapped

> policies are not legislation, so are therefore not mandatory

For Lock the Gate’s response, see this media release: MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "wlmailhtml:{31170eb2-ef37-415d-a139-2de2e117e627}mid:" claiming to be http://coalseamgasnews.org/2012/nsw-goverment-throws-the-northern-rivers-communities-to-the-csg-wolves/

I encourage you to phone and email the following politicians and voice your opposition to this industry going ahead in the Northern Rivers:

Premier Barry O’Farrell   office@premier.nsw.gov.au     9228 5239

Minister for Resources and Energy, Peter Hartcher       office@hartcher.minister.nsw.gov.au  

9228 5289

Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard     office@hazzard.minister.nsw.gov.au   (02) 9228 5258

Minister for Primary Industries,   Katrina Hodgkinson   burrinjuck@parliament.nsw.gov.au, office@hodgkinson.minister.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George, State Member for Lismore  02 6621 3624    lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Don Page, State Member for Ballina   Ministerial Office (02) 9228 3403  office@page.minister.nsw.gov.au     Electorate office  (02) 6686 7522   Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Andrew Stoner    Deputy Premier (02) 9228 5209   office@deputypremier.nsw.gov.au

Chris Gulaptis Member for Clarence    clarence@parliament.nsw.gov.au   (02) 6643 1244



Points worth mentioning:



Ø  the decision to renew Metgasco’s PEL 13 & 16, and issue a production licence fly in the face of this government claiming they haven’t issued any exploration licences since coming to power, when they clearly intended to continue “business as usual”

Ø  the decision to allow Metgasco to go ahead with its operations ignores Metgasco’s previous breaches and unlawful activities (dumping wastewater into Casino sewage treatment plant)

Ø  decision ignores the democratic voice of the Lismore poll showing 87% opposition to CSG

Ø  our landscape, farmlands, roads and towns will become industrialised mining towns bringing all the negative impacts that come with it – high prices, pollution, social division, health impacts



Cheers,

Adam