NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson visited Menangle on Thursday calling on the state government to reject applications to expand coal seam gas wells in the area.
He said he had concerns about the impact mining had on the Nepean River.
Macquarie Fields state Labor MP Andrew McDonald, who lives at Menangle, met with Mr Robertson to discuss the issue in south west Sydney.
Mr Robertson is calling on the government to reject applications from AGL to expand its mining operations in the area. “NSW Labor is calling on the government to immediately suspend all coal seam gas exploration licences before irreparable damage is caused to ground water and aquifers,” Mr Robertson said. “In the case of the Camden project, which straddles the Nepean River, the government should reject any proposals from AGL to expand its operations outright. Let’s understand it before we expand.” Dr McDonald said he knew Macarthur residents shared the same concerns.
“South west Sydney has become somewhat of a guinea pig for the coal seam gas industry but at what cost to the local community?” he said.
“We need more research, more science and more information.”
AGL spokesman Nathan Vass said the company took pride in being a part of the community and would not be involved in any activity it thought would not benefit it. “There is already a parliamentary inquiry underway looking at the CSG inquiry in NSW and we would encourage any MPs interested in this issue to take part,” he said.
The Macarthur Chronicle
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