Controversial Gas Mining Company threatens village
Date: 18-Feb-09
Author: HBGAG
Methane gas explorer, Sydney Gas, currently being taken over by AGL Energy, threatens the vineyard village of Broke in the Hunter Valley.
Sydney Gas has just announced it is about to drill a test well and draw water from coal seams, which extend under the village of Broke, to see if the water tables under Broke, used by the village for domestic use, "drain away into the coal seam".
"Sydney Gas also announced that there will be leakage of methane gas from the test well. Methane gas is over 20 times more destructive to the environment than Carbon Dioxide and is highly explosive." Said local resident Graeme Gibson.
"This irresponsible tampering with the village's underground water supply risks the future of the Broke village as a place to live. It is unacceptable and the community is asking the Government to ensure that Sydney Gas stops its drilling right next to the village."
"Added to the risk of loss of vital water in an ever-changing climate, we are also saddled with the risk of explosion of this volatile methane gas only a few hundred metres from the Broke Primary School. Signs erected by Sydney Gas around its drill site warn of explosion"
"Sydney Gas has over 17,000 square kilometres of petroleum lease in the Hunter Valley to explore for methane gas, but has chosen to drill under the village of Broke."
"Sydney Gas has been implored by the community to drill in broadacre areas rather than in the village, but they have ignored the community; they have been implored to tie up their land in the village to ensure no industrial "gas works" will be erected on it, but they have refused."
"The village is just hoping that AGL Energy will be a responsible corporate citizen and do the right thing by the community and the village, lest it be tarred with the same rush as Sydney Gas."
Contact: Graeme Gibson. Deputy Chairman. Hunter Bulga Gas Action Group.
02 65791062
