Many backbenchers across the Liberal and National parties want the ban on coal seam gas activity in water catchment areas to continue permanently, Heathcote MP Lee Evans has said.
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Following the release this week of the NSW Chief Scientist’s report on the impact of coalmining and CSG activity on the water catchment, Mr Evans said many on his side of politics would be lobbying for the current moratorium to be extended indefinitely.
Chief Scientist Mary O’Kane’s report was criticised by environmentalists for concluding there was not enough consolidated information to make a conclusive judgment about the impact on the catchment – and current activities should continue while the data was gathered.
‘‘I have recommended the government create a whole-of-catchment data repository, and that will enable better modelling of the cumulative impacts of activities, such as CSG extraction and longwall mining,’’ Professor O’Kane said.
But Mr Evans, who has been outspoken in water catchment issues, said there were more than 20 government MPs who would be pushing to keep CSG out of water catchments.
‘‘I want it [the moratorium] to be maintained forever,’’ he said.
‘‘The Chief Scientist’s report obviously opens that up to considerations being made to lift that ban.
‘‘We should be protecting that area.
‘‘We’ve got in the Liberal and the National Party, numbers of backbenchers that are very concerned about water catchments.’’
Mr Evans said he had spoken to Resources Minister Anthony Roberts and would seek to contact the Premier to discuss the issue.
He said given the recent Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation of some resources approvals, the government was particularly keen to make sure these issues were dealt with by the book.
‘‘I think the current minister is doing a fantastic job by going through every agreement that’s been made ... doing a review of all licences,’’ he said.
Mr Roberts has said he is considering his response after receiving the reports, and said the reports ‘‘vindicated’’ the government’s ‘‘measured and balanced’’ approach.
“The Chief Scientist and Engineer found no evidence that current longwall or coal seam gas activities in the catchment should be stopped,” Mr Roberts said.
“Instead, the report found modern treatment processes are sufficient in protecting the quality of Sydney’s drinking water against any adverse impact.”
Prof O’Kane, in a separate report, also said there should be a greater obligation on coal seam gas companies to take out extensive insurance to cover any larger-scale environmental damage that may occur.