Total Environmment Centre on Sydney Gas in Wollombi
Date: 31-Jul-08
Author: Peter Firminger
In relation to Sydney Gas drilling in Wollombi Valley, the Total Environment Centre says:
The Wollombi Valley is an inappropriate location for CSM extraction and therefore exploration. There are significant concerns over the dewatering of the aquifer and its potential to deplete groundwater levels. We are also concerned that the removed water is toxic and presents a threat to the Wollombi Brook system. The issue of what to do with the water is problematic as leaving it in holding ponds that could burst or overflow is unacceptable, while the option of transporting it away from the valley with numerous truck movements presents both environmental and safety hazards.
TEC would also like to see the matter of historical flood levels compared with the location of drilling rigs fully investigated. No native vegetation should be cleared to make way for surface infrastructure if exploration progresses to full extraction. The proponent must also rule out the use of holding ponds in the Wollombi Valley at either the exploration stage or extraction stage should this occur. The Onshore Petroleum Act 1991 should also be amended to require vigorous environmental assessment for exploration projects.
