The Nature Conservation Council of NSW today called on both the NSW Government and Opposition to seriously consider a moratorium on exploration licenses for coal seam gas mining projects until environment, water supply and other risks can be appropriately assessed.
The discovery of carcinogenic substances in three coal seam gas wells in Queensland shows the critical need for strong environment and health protections for coal seam gas exploration and mining across Australia.
“NSW is digging in the dark unless the Keneally government puts an immediate halt to controversial coal seam gas extraction until we have good strong scientific evidence that it won’t harm human health and damage natural places, rivers and water supplies," said CEO Pepe Clarke.
“Already most of suburban Sydney is covered by a coal seam gas exploration licence.
"From March next year, the controversial fracking technique will be used for coal seam gas mining right next to Warragamba Dam, a major source of Sydney’s drinking water and one of the largest domestic water supply dams in the world.
“The health and wellbeing of urban and rural communities must not become buried in the rush for quick profits from a risky and unsustainable industry," he said.
