Tim Duddy, part of the group that blockaded Santo's Georges Island site, says the deal struck yesterday is a victory for locals. Picture: Sam Mooy Source: The Australian
MINING company Santos has struck a bargain with farmers and the state government that will allow it to proceed unimpeded with coal-seam gas exploration across sensitive parts of northern NSW for the next six months.
In return, Santos has agreed to suspend drilling at its contentious Georges Island site in the middle of the fertile Liverpool Plains, where farmers have mounted a community blockade for the past 19 days.
Tim Duddy, of the blockade's Caroona Coal Action Group, said the deal was a major victory for local farmers.
"We've got most of what we wanted, which was that drilling should stop here until the Namoi Catchment Water Study is released in March, and that's a huge issue for this area," Mr Duddy said yesterday.
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The Australian
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