Don’t Frack The Gas Out Of Us!
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Created on Friday, 19 November 2010 12:42
TotalEnvironment Centre (TEC) has launched its Don’t Frack The Gas Out Of Us campaign. TEC says Australians must stop the rush to implant a massive gas mining industry in this country, until the community grants a ‘licence to operate’. Take action! [see below in read more]
Mining for coal seam gas involves a web of drill sites with cleared pads, polluted water ponds, pipelines and gas storage tanks – spreading over the landscape – and use of ‘fracking’ which injects water and toxic chemicals into aquifers to crack rock and release the gas.
Long experience has shown TEC that if you let a mining industry wind up it is very hard to wind back. This is what has happened in Queensland which has recently seen multi-billion dollar approvals from state and federal governments for gas exploration. In New South Wales, where we are still at the beginning of any real assessment process, very large exploration permits have already been granted.
The impacts of gas “fracking” are particularly invasive and polluting, as has been proved by the experience of communities across the United Statesand yet there has been no public debate on the impacts on Sydney, the Hunter, our precious southern water catchments and other areas where the gas industry is preparing to dig in.
The gas industry is saying ‘fracking’ doesn’t always take place and that a more ‘gentle’ depressurising is being used on the Sydney basin area. However, this is part of a long term strategy to pull the wool over our eyes while maneuvering the infrastructure into place. The current “explorations” are intended to build up a convincing argument for the industry to get the go-ahead by providing proof of the resources, wooing investors and shareholders with dividends, and exciting governments with the prospect of hefty royalties.
We can’t risk a powerful industry riding roughshod over the environment. TEC and other environment groups will be joining with all Australians, including those in targeted communities, to demand transparency and a rigorous and impartial process of environment impact assessment of a commercial industry before any further exploration takes place.
The community needs to brought into the decision making process now so we can plan where gas mining can and cannot occur.
If you would like to support our campaign – sign the Frack Off! Letter – and make a donation. TEC is committed to effective and long term campaigning.
Coal Seam Gas: by the numbers [ABC]
On-Line Letter
To: The Premier
Below are some suggested points you might like to make:
I demand a moratorium on gas mining and a full independent public inquiry into the establishment of the coal seam gas industry. I am concerned about:
* the potential for pollution below and above ground
* clearing of vegetation for multiple drill sites, access roads and pipelines
* air pollution from storage tanks and flaring
* truck traffic transporting water and chemicals
* AND the lack of a transparent plan for where gas mining can and cannot occur