Tagged: "Western Sydney"

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Energy Minister Roberts lies about IPART gas price report

Posted on 23 April 2014

 MEDIA RELEASE - 23 April 2014

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham accused the Energy Minister, Anthony Roberts, of lying about the proposed gas price increases determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Minister Roberts’ press release states: “Mr Roberts said that nearly a third of the proposed increase is due to the Carbon Tax, with families left to pay for Labor’s refusal to abolish the tax.”

Page 5 of the IPART report has a table (reproduced below) that clearly shows the carbon price contributing just 0.1 – 1.1% to gas prices in 2014/15.

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The IPART Fact Sheet - Changes in regulated gas retail prices from 1 July 2014 states: “All 3 Standard Retailers have included the legislated increase in the carbon price from 1 July 2014. This accounts for a very small share of the increase in prices in 2014/15.” (page 2)

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916

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Greens welcome rejection of CSG in Sydney Water Catchment

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Greens welcome rejection of CSG in Sydney Water Catchment

Posted on 12 July 2013

MEDIA RELEASE - 12 July 2013

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham welcomed the Planning Assessment Commission decision to reject an application to drill for coal seam gas in the Sydney water catchment area, but called on the O’Farrell Government to ban it permanently.  Jeremy with drill rig Camden 800px

“This PAC decision is a victory for common sense. Sydney’s drinking catchment should be protected from a toxic heavy industry like coal seam gas,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Coal seam gas is unsafe, unnecessary and unwanted anywhere in NSW, so the idea of drilling and fracking in our special drinking water catchment area was always ludicrous.

“Prior to the last election, Barry O’Farrell promised to end mining and exploration in water catchments - “no ifs, no buts, a guarantee”. The Greens call on the Premier to turn those admirable words into government policy and ban coal seam gas from our water catchments permanently.

“Longwall coal mining in our special catchment areas continues to do significant damage to the environment and water quality, and should be phased out, alongside a ban on coal seam gas. Our drinking water is too precious to risk,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips 0419 444 916

 

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ABC News - Coal seam gas ban - 19 Feb 2013

Posted on 07 March 2013

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Channel Ten - CSG ban in urban areas - 19 Feb 2013

Posted on 07 March 2013

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Channel Nine - ban on urban coal seam gas - 19 Feb 2013

Posted on 07 March 2013

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Coal Seam Gas banned in urban areas - Channel 7 - 19 February 2013

Posted on 06 March 2013

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24 February 2013

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Nepean coal seam gas wells flood again as AGL says it will push on

Posted on 25 February 2013

MEDIA RELEASE

25 February 2012

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham today expressed concern that two coal seam gas wells drilled on the banks of the Nepean River have again flooded, with flood waters peaking at 7.24 metres at Menangle Bridge yesterday after heavy rainfall on the weekend.

“Last time these gas wells flooded the Nepean River peaked at only 5.92 metres, this time the gas wells were deep under water with the river hitting 7.24 metres on Sunday afternoon,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Again everything on the gas well site, including whatever chemicals or waste water is stored in the open pits would have flowed into the Nepean River which provides drinking water for parts of Greater Sydney, irrigation for market gardens, and flows into the oyster growing areas of the Hawkesbury.

“Was gas still bubbling to the surface at this gas well as was seen last time it flooded? Did the Environmental Protection Authority visit the site?

“AGL were negligent in drilling gas wells in an area that is regularly flooded. They were warned by Campbelltown Council not to drill in this location, but they did it anyway and now we have a heavy industrial petroleum production site regularly spilling into the Nepean River,” he said.

“The EPA must investigate and the government should shut down a gas well that is regularly being inundated by flood waters.

The Greens are also concerned that AGL refused to rule out coal seam gas in Western Sydney. At a Campbelltown Council organised community information session at Ingleburn, Mike Moraza reportedly refused to say the expansion of coal seam gas operations was at an end, instead saying the new regulations “would make it more difficult.”

Mr Buckingham said: “While the Government’s new regulations have stop an immediate threat to Western Sydney, we are concerned that unsafe coal seam gas mining can still occur in the hinterland around Sydney and will still affect urban areas. Drilling can also still occur in water catchments and on agricultural land.”

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202 or 0419 444 916

24 February 2013

Photos of the flooded well are available here:

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If CSG too risky for city, then why risk farms or water?

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If CSG too risky for city, then why risk farms or water?

Posted on 19 February 2013

Media Release - The Greens NSW

19 February 2013CSG-western-Sydney-front-250px

Greens MPs Jeremy Buckingham (Mining Spokesperson) and Cate Faehrmann (Environment Spokesperson) have welcomed the Premier’s ban on coal seam gas within two kilometres of urban areas and certain industry clusters, but questioned why the O’Farrell Government thought coal seam gas was still acceptable in drinking water catchments, on productive agricultural land or near rural homes.

“This ban is a good start, but there is still more to do to protect the people, land and water of NSW from this toxic, risky industry,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Unfortunately Barry O’Farrell is still sending a very strong signal to the industry that it has the green light in NSW. This isn’t good enough, as the industry has not been proven safe yet.

“It’s just commonsense that you don’t turn residential areas into gas fields, but the same protection should be implemented for our water catchments, aquifers and farm land.

“The federal election has sharpened the senses and finally the government has heard that the people of NSW do not want a coal seam gas industry. This is a big victory for the community, but there is still more of NSW to protect” he said.

“If coal seam gas is not safe or appropriate in the suburbs of Sydney, then it should not be forced upon farmers, their homes and farming operations. Nor should it be taking place in sensitive environments like the Sydney water catchment, the Northern Rivers, Gloucester Valley, Pilliga Forest, Southern Highlands and the Great Artesian Basin aquifer,” he said.

Environment Spokesperson Cate Faehrmann said: “The Greens welcome EPA oversight and the involvement of the Chief Scientist, however, the EPA must have the resources and teeth to proactively investigate and monitor operations. The history of coal seam gas and mining in NSW is that the EPA shifts into gear only after the community discovers the environmental damage. Coal seam gas is a risky industry that needs professional and constant monitoring.

“City people know this is a state-wide issue and the campaign against coal seam gas will continue until all of NSW is protected,” she said.

Jeremy Buckingham & Cate Faehrmann will hold a press conference at 11.15am at the rear of State Parliament.

Contact: Max Phillips 0419 444 916

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AGL must withdraw CSG expansion in city – O’Farrell should legislate to protect suburbs, water and farms

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AGL must withdraw CSG expansion in city – O’Farrell should legislate to protect suburbs, water and farms

Posted on 08 February 2013

MEDIA RELEASE  -  8 February 2012 

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham today called on AGL to withdraw its planned expansion of its coal seam gas fields into the suburbs of Western Sydney, after the company announced it had requested a temporary suspension of its Northern Expansion proposal.  The Greens want the exploration licence to be cancelled and called on the O’Farrell Government should legislate to permanently protect urban areas from coal seam gas.Menangle Park drillng

“The Greens are concerned this is a cynical PR exercise attempting to take the spotlight off the issue of coal seam gas during the coming federal election campaign.  To show good faith, AGL should withdraw its entire application and hand back its exploration licence for coal seam gas in the suburbs of Sydney,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“AGL have form.  They have previously pulled projects prior to election campaigns, such as the Leaf Gully power station in 2007, only to put them back up after the heat of an election is over.”

“It is certainly a recognition that coal seam gas is a risky industry unsuitable for urban areas and does not have a social licence from the people of NSW.

“The onus is now on Premier Barry O’Farrell to legislate to permanently protect urban areas and drinking water catchments from the risk of coal seam gas.

“If coal seam gas is unwanted and unsafe for the suburbs of Sydney, then why is appropriate in other areas, such as Gloucester, the Hunter Valley or Northern Rivers?

“There are coal seam gas exploration licences for the entire Sydney Metropolitan area – from Bondi to Penrith, as well as exploration licences for the water catchment on the Illawarra Plateau and surrounding Warragamba Dam.  The Greens call on the Government to protect these areas by cancelling these licences.

“Coal seam gas is risky and unnecessary industry.  Australia should be switching to renewable energy such as solar and wind, not plundering suburbs, farmland and aquifers for another era of fossil fuels.”

Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916

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NSW Government failing on coal seam gas - ABC News - 6 Febuary 2013

Posted on 07 February 2013

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