The NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, Mr Anthony Roberts, affirmed his confidence in the regulations governing the exploration and development of the coal seam gas industry during a tour of the Santos Narrabri project on Friday.
“In NSW we have the toughest regulations in Australia to protect the below ground and above ground environment” he said.
The Minister said Narrabri shire would reap significant financial and community benefits if the Narrabri project was given the go ahead for commercial production.
Mr Roberts held talks with Narrabri Shire Council and inspected Santos’ Leewood produced water storage facility and the Bibblewindi water transfer facility with the Santos representatives, the mayor Conrad Bolton and Cr Maxine Booby.
Santos general manager Energy NSW, Mr Peter Mitchley, explained the engineering involved in the construction of the $32 million Leewood water storage facility.
“The two 300 megalitre major ponds are engineered, have a bentonite base followed by a high density polyethylene liner, an interspatial drainage layer and another liner, collectively a sandwich of four layers.”
The Minister even tasted the briny water in the storage pond.
“It tastes like Bondi surf,” he commented.
“The water is about one third to one half the salinity of sea water,” Mr Mitchley told him.
Santos’ Narrabri project is moving through its assessment and approvals process.
A final government determination on whether the project proceeds to commercial production will come after Santos’ Environmental Impact statement (EIS) is presented.
This was Mr Roberts’ first visit to Narrabri in his capacity as Energy Minister.
He met councillors and staff to discuss the development of coal and gas issues in the shire before touring the Santos sites.
The Minister was given an overview of Santos’ Pilliga activities by Peter Mitchley, accompanied by the Narrabri shire mayor Cr Conrad Bolton and Cr Maxine Booby.
“Santos needs to be commended for investing in this project which can deliver gas to the people and industries of NSW” the Minister said.
“Currently more than 90 percent of NSW gas is imported from interstate.
“It is anticipated that gas from the Pilliga could supply half of NSW’s homes and industry.
“Should the Narrabri gas project be given the go ahead, it would bring huge benefits to the local economy of Narrabri shire” Mr Roberts said.
“The gas industry can help drought proof rural communities.
“It would bring new activities and support new, local industries.
“Farming families would have the opportunity for employment and an off farm income.
“The gas industry would create career opportunities for young people, work for tradespeople and draw professionals into the area.”
Mr Roberts said the underpinning of the shire economy by a major new industry would ease the stresses which are now manifesting themselves in increasing levels of depression and mental illness for many in the rural community as they battle harsh times.
The Minister urged a balanced approach to coal seam gas.
“We must deal with the facts” he said.
“There have been a lot of lies and misinformation directed at this industry.
“Much of what is being said is rubbish.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion but there are those who oppose everything, they don’t want any development to occur.
‘I am not an advocate for the industry” the Minister said. “I approach everything, particularly the coal seam gas industry, with impartiality.
“But I have read huge volumes of documents, reports and studies.
“Is the industry safe? Yes.
“Can it be safer? Yes.
“Are there high standards to be met and is the industry meeting them? Yes.”
“The science is there and the protection is there” Mr Roberts said.
“Stringent practices for well design and construction are in place to ensure activities are environmentally safe and groundwater resources are protected.
“The highest levels of well integrity are required.
“I would have no issue with having a well on my property” Mr Roberts added.
“We are hearing signals now that the Greens want to see the same levels of gas well integrity applied to irrigation farm bores” he said.
“This should be an ominous warning for irrigators.”