Apex Energy’s plans for an additional coal seam gas exploration bore in a water catchment ‘‘special area’’ at Darkes Forest have been approved by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.The approval sets up a clash with the Sydney Catchment Authority, which opposed the drilling of the bore, and which needs to give approval for access to the northern Illawarra land.The Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) said it was satisfied the work could be performed without significant damage to the environment, as long as conditions were imposed to minimise the impact of drilling on the water supply and native species.‘‘These measures should ensure there is no significant risk to aquifer integrity or quality as a result of this exploratory borehole,’’ the PAC said.Apex managing director Darren Rice welcomed the PAC’s decision, saying there had been a thorough environmental assessment process.‘‘We are very pleased to have this additional borehole approved, as it is important to determining the potential gas reserves and flow rates in the northern extremity of our licence areas,’’ he said.

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The bore site is in a Sydney Catchment Authority ‘‘special area’’, so named for its proximity to drinking water. Walking, driving vehicles, walking dogs or riding bikes are not permitted in special areas, under threat of a maximum fine of $11,000.The Sydney Catchment Authority received the determination report only yesterday and was ‘‘considering the conditions’’, a spokeswoman said.The approval comes as the NSW Government is engaged in a process of drafting new land use policies to balance agriculture and conservation with coal mining and CSG extraction.Stop CSG Illawarra spokeswoman Jess Moore said the project risked damaging the water supply at a time when many people wanted the industry to slow down.‘‘It’s absurd that during a period of review and research, the Government would continue to grant approvals,’’ she said.Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said Wollongong City Council’s opposition to CSG drilling in catchment areas was well known.‘‘We are concerned about water security and the environment, and when people cannot enter water catchment land to go fishing or for recreational purposes, but we’re happy to allow coal seam gas mining in this area, it does concern me, and it does concern the council,’’ he said.The bore is the 16th to be approved for Apex and joint venture partner Ormil Energy, which hold exploration licences for an area stretching from Darkes Forest, past Helensburgh to the coast, and south as far as Port Kembla.Member for Keira Ryan Park said he was disappointed by the decision.‘‘There is no rush in relation to this industry, the gas will always be there,’’ he said. ‘‘The community expects its elected representatives to make informed decisions and in relation to coal seam gas mining there is simply too many unanswered questions.’’