Metgasco’s holding ponds at Piora Quarry in Casino causing controversy.
The Northern Rivers Lock the Gate Alliance has accused Metgasco of operating holding ponds that contain 'produced water' (water that is extracted in the process of coal seam gas mining) without consent authority from Richmond Valley Council.
Lock the Gate spokesperson Boudicca Cerese said the ponds at Piora Quarry in Casino contain potentially toxic drilling fluids and that Metgasco had shown a "complete disregard for the laws governing development in this state."
She said documents obtained under the Government Information Public Access (GIPA) legislation and a Richmond Valley Council business paper showed that of the two ponds being operated at the quarry by Metgasco, one was constructed without ever obtaining an approval and the other's development consent expired in September 2010.
Ms Cerese went on to say that the ponds were entirely self-regulated by Metgasco, with no requirement for monitoring overflows, leaks or water quality.
Northern Rivers Echo
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