Media release Friends of the Earth
On Saturday May11, around 180 people attending a public meeting at Seaspray in Gippsland to express concern about the possibility of gas drilling in their area. On Monday evening, Lakes Oil dropped a letter in mailboxes, telling adjacent landowners it would start ‘testing’ at their Wombat 1 drill site the next day, Tuesday May 14.
“Lakes Oil have defended their planned re-fracking in the Seaspray area by saying it is for Tight Gas, not CSG. However, concerns about the process of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’), use of chemicals, and potential contamination of aquifers remain”.
“It is clear that all onshore Unconventional gas operations will struggle to achieve social licence with the people of Gippsland.
“The state government admitted as such in declaring a moratorium on the process of fracking in 2012. However, exploration and activity that doesn’t involve fracking can continue. The failings of the state government intervention will become apparent in coming days as Lakes Oil clears it well and starts to burn off gas in flare pits.
“The new Energy and Resources Minister, Mr Nick Kotsiras, has announced that he will consult with the public about the future of the moratorium. Until this happens, the only reasonable action the government can take is to extend the moratorium to cover all activity around new Gas operations .”
Further information:
Cam Walker 0419 338 047
Ursula Alquier, FoE community campaigner, on site in Seaspray. 0499 991 324