GREAT Lakes Council needs a stronger policy to protect its community against the dangers posed by Coal Seam Gas (CSG) exploration than that MidCoast Water currently has in place, according to Cr Linda Gill.
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Cr Gill put forward a motion to make the Great Lakes CSG free at the council’s meeting on February 24 “because of the unacceptable risks to our water catchments, groundwater, agricultural industries, natural environment and human health.”
The council voted against the motion, but moved instead to examine MidCoast Water’s policy on CSG activity. The council had endorsed MidCoast Water’s 2013 policy, but it has since been amended. Council general manager Glenn Handford said the council would examine the new statement before having more discussions about its own policy position.
Great Lakes Mayor Cr Jan McWilliams said that the outcome of last week’s vote should not be taken to mean that council unconditionally condoned Coal Seam Gas (CSG) mining.
“On the contrary, there was comprehensive, objective, informed debate which confirmed that council is unanimous (and joins with MidCoast Water) in its intention to do all within its powers to preserve the optimum quality of our waterways and our water supplies,” she said.
“The proposed motion last week was only defeated because it called on council to impose banning powers which rest with State Government and are beyond council jurisdiction. I hope this clarifies the situation for residents.”
Cr Gill said the move showed council was out of step with a broad section of the community.
“The intent of my motion, even though symbolic, was to send a clear message to the government that the Great Lakes community, in light of the growing body of evidence about CSG, oppose the presence of this industry in our area.”
Energy company AGL welcomed the news that Great Lakes Council had not declared the area as gas free. A spokesperson for the company said AGL had held an open information day in Wards River as part of its community consultation requirements as part of the gas project for Gloucester.
“AGL looks forward to working with the Great Lakes Council in developing economic opportunities for the region through our Gloucester Gas Project,” the spokesperson said.
Great Lakes Council will now be examining MidCoast Water’s adopted position on extractive industries (including CSG), which focuses on a ‘precautionary principal’.
It states that any extractive industry should not adversely impact water resources and that “a detailed consideration of a proposed development’s potential impacts on the region’s water cycle should be undertaken prior to its approval”.
MidCoast Water’s chairperson, Great Lakes councillor Tony Summers, said the position clearly stated that a consistent supply of high quality water was “essential” for local communities, now and into the future.
“Our customers enjoy some of the best drinking water supplies in the country and MidCoast Water is constantly working to ensure the water they deliver to their customers is safe and reliable,” he said.
“Our role in the community is to deliver safe drinking water and safely return treated water to our environment. Water has to meet stringent drinking water quality guidelines and they work closely with the NSW Department of Health on a testing regime to ensure the quality.”
However, Cr Gill said she had concerns that MidCoast Water’s position was not strong enough and would be putting forward suggestions for amendments when it came before council.
“What could be of a higher priority to council, than to protect our community’s water supply, our multimillion dollar tourist industry and the community’s heath, well-being and cohesion, which, as we have seen demonstrated, when CSG comes to town, the fabric of the community is ripped asunder and property values plummet,” she said.