May 21, 2012
Katter’s Australia Party has renewed its call for an immediate moratorium on coal seam gas (CSG) drilling following the release of a report last week that predicts large-scale impacts on bores in the Surat Basin.
State Leader of Katter’s Australian Party, Rob Katter, says that the Queensland Water Commission’s report into the impact of coal seam gas drilling in the Surat Basin proves the need for immediate action.
The report found that bores on over 500 properties will be affected, with some expected to drop by up to a metre in the next three years.
“This report identifies that many hundreds of landholders will be affected by CSG mining,” said Mr Katter.
“Yet all it recommends is a token gesture of increased monitoring.
“This is far from what is required for this unknown and rapidly expanding industry – we may well end up ‘monitoring’ what turns out to be the irreversible destruction of our water resources, and that is why Katter’s Australian Party continues to call for an immediate moratorium on coal seam gas drilling.
“The Australian Senate’s own inquiry last year found that a moratorium was needed to ensure that flawed developments were not rushed ahead.
“The coal seam gas industry is almost entirely foreign-owned and the profits are going to line the pockets of offshore investors and will not stay in Australia. While this occurs our Aussie farmers are going to have their water quality and security destroyed.”
- Related story: Water Impact Report Shows 528 Bores Will Be Affected By CSG
