The Fracking Facts

Coal seam gas beneath Fullerton Cove BY MICHELLE HARRIS 11 Aug, 2011 05:00 AM DART Energy says a ‘‘substantial gas resource’’ appears to lie beneath Fullerton Cove, prompting its plans for a pilot coal seam gas well program at the site, north of Stockton, it hopes will begin before the end of the year. The company holds exploration licence 458 that covers about 2000 square-kilometres, taking in the city of Newcastle, surrounding suburbs and much of Port Stephens. It is planning a pilot program of two vertical and two lateral well tests at Fullerton Cove, where it has access agreements with landowners.The Tomago sandbeds, which provide about 20per cent of the Lower Hunter’s drinking water, lie to the north.In a recent operations update, Dart described the exploration licence area as ‘‘a priority as Dart Energy believes the resource can be matured rapidly’’.‘‘Further, given the proximity of infrastructure and potential gas markets there are a number of viable near-term commercialisation options for that resource.’’In a statement, Dart chief executive Robbert de Weijer said surface and ground water monitoring would take place before the pilot program began.‘‘The wells would be lined and double cased with steel and cement to fully protect the upper aquifer,’’ he said.The company was working on an environmental assessment, and would need permission from the state government.It was not planning to use the process of hydraulic fracturing or ‘‘fracking’’ to force the gas to the surface, and would be ‘‘fully transparent’’ about its plans.At a recent briefing for Newcastle city councillors, the company said it was talking to government agencies, including the Office of Water.

via Coal seam gas beneath Fullerton Cove – Local News – News – General – Newcastle Herald.

Fiona Simson NSW Farmers Association Tuesday 26th July 2011 Photo Danielle Smith"The farmers think that any impact on farm operations is too much impact" … Fiona Simson, NSW Farmers Association president. Photo: Danielle SmithTHE state’s peak farming body has challenged the coal seam gas industry to prove it will not damage agricultural water supplies and called on companies to disclose on a public register the chemicals they use during fracking.In a submission to a state parliamentary inquiry, the NSW Farmers’ Association also called for changes to laws so land-holders have the right to stop coal seam gas drilling companies entering private land.”The farmers think that any impact on farm operations is too much impact – anything that can’t be fully mitigated is just not acceptable,” the association’s president, Fiona Simson, said.

via Farmers fight to protect water.

Manning landholders frustrated at Taree council’s wait-and-see attitude to coal seam mining

THE Manning community has no time to waste in addressing the threat from coal seam gas drilling, according to a concerned group of residents and ratepayers frustrated that the city council has so far taken no direct action.

Manning Alliance Inc is bewildered and upset by Greater Taree City Council’s wait-and-see attitude, and says the council needs to be working with all stakeholders to prepare and implement a multi-tiered strategy before changes become too hard to implement.

It fears there will be a “potentially huge public backlash” when the community discovers council had an opportunity and chose not to lodge a submission to the NSW Legislative Assembly’s current Committee of Inquiry into coal seam gas, which has called for submissions closing next Wednesday.

In the event that council does not act, the alliance is in the meantime calling on Manning residents to act quickly and individually in making their own submissions.

With the deadline nearing, the alliance is making it easier for Manning residents to respond quickly, by offering a pro forma submission which can be lodged by individuals or groups, or re-worded as they see fit.

The submission can be obtained by contacting alliance member Lloyd Parslow on 6553 4951.

The alliance is extremely concerned that the city council will not be lodging a submission on behalf of the local community, even though it acknowledges that mayor Paul Hogan is personally opposed to coal seam gas (CSG) drilling in the Manning Valley, and that his fellow councillors are personally well aware of the strong local feelings against CSG.

“The environmental threats from CSG are of such critical significance to our community that CSG must be seriously and responsibly addressed as a major priority and as a matter of urgency in all sectors of our community”, chairman of Manning Alliance Inc Peter Epov said this week.

In a letter to mayor Hogan and councillors he stressed: “Greater Taree City Council needs to clearly and categorically play the lead role. The community expects nothing else.”

via Manning River Times.

If anyone has something to say, submissions must be in by September 7th

Coal seam gas (Inquiry)

This inquiry is a current Legislative Council inquiry conducted by the General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5. This inquiry was established on 5 August 2011, to inquire into and report on the environmental, health, economic and social impacts of coal seam gas activities. The role of coal seam gas in meeting the future energy needs of NSW will also be examined.

via Coal seam gas (Inquiry) – NSW Parliament.