Government cancels exploration licenses

Three thousand people marched over the Seacliff Bridge near Clifton against coal seam gas mining. Photo: Michael O’Brien/Stop CSG Illawarra.

WOLLONGONG Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery welcomed the announcement by NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts to cancel three Petroleum Exploration Licences in Sydney’s water catchment area.

Cr Bradbery said the announcement supports Council’s position of excluding coal seam gas licences from these sensitive catchment areas.

“We have spoken with the State government Ministers and NSW Premier on this issue or a number of years,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Back in 2011 and again in 2013 Council reiterated its opposition to allowing exploration and mining for coal seam gas in water catchment areas. Council also included its stance in a submission to the NSW Legislative Standing Committee Inquiry into Coal Seam Gas.

“Now that the Minister has cancelled these licences and announced a buy back from the energy company we welcome this move which will ensure that the water catchment areas are not subject to this extraction industry.”

One licence area covered 23,067ha  from south of Port Kembla, west of Dapto and north to Clifton, another licence covered 6,272ha from Clifton, west of Darkes Forest and north of Lilyvale, near Helesnburgh.

For more information contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (02) 4227 7111.