A number of New South Wales Government agencies have visited coal seam gas projects near Chinchilla, Queensland, to gain a better understanding of the issues faced by communities and government regulators with the development of the coal seam gas industry.
The Department of Planning and Environment and other government agencies visited the projects as part of the Narrabri Gas Project public exhibition.
Mike Young, Director of Resource Assessments at the Department of Planning and Environment, said the visit was very informative and important for the New South Wales Government.
“While the Queensland gas fields are much larger than what is being proposed in NSW, our trip last week helped us gain an appreciation of the kind of issues that will need to be considered in the assessment of Narrabri Gas Project,” Mr Young said.
“In particular, it was useful to learn about how the impacts of the coal seam gas industry on water resources are being assessed and managed in Queensland, and how the interests of farmers are being protected.
“The contingent from the NSW Government included representatives from the Department of Planning and Environment, Department of Primary Industries – Water, Environment Protection Authority, Office of Environment and Heritage, Division of Resources and Geoscience.”
Mr Young said the Department of Planning and Environment is encouraging the community to send in submissions on Santos’ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Narrabri Gas Project before the public exhibition closes on 22 May 2017.
The Narrabri Gas Project proposal involves a coal seam gas field with up to 850 gas wells to be developed progressively over 20 years, and a gas processing and water treatment facilities.
“We read every submission. There’s no requirement to write lengthy or detailed comments, although people may wish to do so. We are keen to hear from anyone interested in the proposal.” Mr Young said.