Moorabool Environment Group has labelled coal seam gas mining an “irresponsible and short-sighted industry” and says there’s widespread community support for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for onshore gas exploration.
Premier Denis Napthine recently said the state government was in “no hurry” to begin a coal seam gas industry, with the protection of environment, particularly underground water systems, a priority in considering whether to lift the moratorium that prevents the practice in Victoria.
But the president of MEG, Rose De la Cruz, said the group feared the government was wavering.
“Most people and our group specifically see Bacchus Marsh as an agriculture and tourist food-producing area, not an open-cut brown-coal mine,” she said.
The government is waiting for a report into coal seam gas mining in Victoria, with speculation it will strongly endorse development of “unconventional gas”, arguing that action is needed in the face of energy price increases.
Ballarat Labor MP Catherine King said the controversial practice was inappropriate.
“I would strongly oppose any push to lift [the moratorium],” she said.
Dr Napthine said the state had large brown coal and alternative energy sources to meet demand and that any decision on ‘‘fracking’’ would have the environment in mind.
“We’re in no hurry when it comes to unconventional gas – we’ll hasten very, very slowly,” he said.
“We understand that there are opportunities in the future but we need to be very careful about how we manage them.”
– with Richard Willingham
