The Fault Line 4
Date: 17-Oct-08
Author: Sean Gough
Important News
Sydney Gas and AGL Energy are searching for another likely spot in the Wollombi Valley to begin to explore for coal seam methane gas.
They say they are trying to address our concerns by proposing alternative sites for drilling a core hole other than that opposite Mulla Villa. What a load of rubbish!
They have discovered that the site they have chosen is too wet and so they have been forced to postpone their drilling programme here until a more suitable site is found.
This means they may be approaching you to get your agreement for them to explore for coal seam methane gas on your land. They will tell you that this will have very little impact on you and your property, but they will offer some money as compensation all the same. Remember that this is the first stage of the potential development of a coal seam methane gas field in the Wollombi Valley.
Sydney Gas and AGL say they do not have plans for coal seam methane gas production in Wollombi, but don't be fooled. They have not even taken their first step in exploring for methane gas here and until that core hole is drilled, they cannot begin to form a plan for methane gas production.
Another new element of their deception is to remove the word "methane" from all their literature and web site. They realise that we now understand methane is an extremely dangerous gas which can cause loss of life and can cause irreparable damage to the environment, so now they refer to it as "natural gas".
Well it is natural in that it comes from nature, just as all fossil fuels are natural.
But "methane" is a dirty word and "natural" sounds harmless.
Do not let yourself be fooled!
Sydney Gas is in a 50:50 joint venture with AGL Energy. The General Manager of Sydney Gas has been a long-standing employee of AGL Energy. One of the principal sub-contractors to their consortium is AJ Lucas who is paid to perform their drilling work. AJ Lucas is now a major shareholder of Sydney Gas and the CEO of Sydney Gas has long been a director of AJ Lucas. AJ Lucas is now poised to take over Sydney Gas and absorb it into their subsidiary company, Lucas Energy, which is now applying for a lease from the NSW State Government to develop a coal seam methane gas field between Gloucester and Stroud, despite strong objections from the Gloucester / Stroud community.
These companies are ruthless and their only objective is to make a profit. There would be no benefit to our community if it were allowed for a coal seam methane
gas field to be developed here in the Wollombi Valley. We know that this community would suffer irreparable damage. Look at what is happening at Gloucester and Broke to begin to understand the threat.
We are making available a DVD called Rivers of Shame; get yourself a copy from the Wollombi General Store or Laguna Shop and take a little time to look and see the damage that is being done by mining operations around New South Wales.
We strongly urge you to resist any approach from Sydney Gas, AGL Energy, AJ Lucas or anyone associated with these companies.
- Do not accept their phone calls
- Do not allow them onto your land
- Do not sign an access agreement
The Wollombi Valley community must remain vigilant and united.
Please contact us immediately if you are approached or would like to talk to someone in WAGE about this. We will have a stand at the Laguna markets and can be contacted by phone or email through our web site.
For more information or to become a member please go to www.wage.org.au
- Newsletter 4
October update regarding Sydney Gas and AGL and their continuing efforts to drill for METHANE GAS in the Wollombi Valley (504kb pdf file)
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