GREENS mining spokesman Jeremy Buckingham says a coal seam gas well blowout in Queensland should serve as a warning to the state government that similar disasters could occur in NSW.
The gas leak happened at a coal seam gas well in Dalby, west of Brisbane, on Sunday, four kilometres from the nearest residence.
Mr Buckingham said the incident highlighted the need to get the coal seam gas industry under control, before a similar event occurred in NSW.
“This massive gas blowout in Queensland is a warning to the government that they need to control the cowboy coal seam gas industry,” he said.
“Spewing explosive gas 40 metres into the air, potentially for days, shows just how dangerous coal seam gas extraction can be.”
Mr Buckingham has called for the state government’s 60 day moratorium on new coal seam gas licences to be extended to 12 months.
Mr Buckingham wants the moratorium to cover existing licences and for a special commission of inquiry to examine the health, agricultural and other environmental impacts of coal seam gas mining.
He said 550 gas wells proposed for the bushland of the Pilliga, near Narrabri, could have disastrous effects if a gas leak was to occur in bushfire prone land.
“The NSW government’s 60 day moratorium on issuing licences will not stop any drilling - it is token,” he said.
“What we need is a 12 month moratorium and an independent inquiry to examine the safety, health and environmental issues of coal seam gas.
“The Queensland gas blowout underlines the need to apply the precautionary principle before the coal seam gas industry wreaks havoc on NSW with thousands of gas wells.”
lisa.cox@ruralpress.com
Email a friend