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Coal Seam Gas Objection Lodged

Bass Coast Shire Council has lodged its objection to Leichhardt Resources Pty Ltd application for a mining exploration licence with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

By Bass Coast - 27th April 2012 - Back to News

The licence (EL5416) for Coal Seam Gas exploration covers 566 square kilometres of land, stretching from South of Wonthaggi through to Pound Creek and into South Gippsland.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Veronica Dowman said Council’s submission clearly states the concerns that were raised by the community.
"Bass Coast has thriving tourism and agricultural economies and many families in our community are reliant on these industries. Our tourism industry is worth in excess of $1billion annually and this success is heavily reliant on our natural beauty and fauna," Cr Dowman explained.

"Our submission expressed these concerns in detail and makes the links between the potential impacts on our Shire and our community vision (Guiding Bass Coast Towards 2030).

"That vision details how the community sees Bass Coast in 2030, These aspirations include being a food bowl for Victoria and celebrating our natural assets. Obviously, development of Coal Seam Gas is at odds with this vision."

Cr Dowman said it was important that any new industry was assessed and all the impacts fully understood before there was an impact on amenity. "Our community are very concerned about the unknowns of Coal Seam Gas mining," said Cr Dowman.

"Our objection states that the precautionary principle should be applied. This means that developments that may have unknown impacts on our sensitive environment should not proceed until the research has been done to demonstrate that they can be undertaken safely."

The full submission is available on Council’s website at: http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/csg

It is expected that the Department of Primary Industries will take approximately 12 – 14 weeks to process the application. A decision may not be known until June or July 2012.

A report detailing the current state of exploration and mining across the eastern states, issues that arise as a result of exploration and mining, and options for further action will be presented at the Council meeting on 16 May 2012.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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