This month the NSW Government released an updated draft aquifer interference policy to select groups and individuals. Now granted the word "policy" might not float your boat, but this is an important one. This is the policy the public was told would protect groundwater from activities that could impact it, including CSG development. It does not.
Unfortunately the policy has not been put on public exhibition. Instead, the government is going with an exclusive consultation process that's off limits to public scrutiny.
Never mind the fact that when it comes to the protection of water we are all stakeholders!
However, some of those angered by the policy leaked it and on July 20 the Illawarra Mercury reported: "the policy could allow the largest coal and CSG projects to go ahead even if they fail the aquifer interference test." The Mercury's editorial on the same day explained:"The NSW Office of Water's aquifer interference draft policy is yet to be officially released but its content does not make for pretty reading. Under the proposed policy, mining and gas developments will not be bound by water protection rules... That is fraught with danger and could cause irreparable damage to already fragile aquifers."
Stop CSG! Illawarra
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