The Australian Greens have welcomed Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett's request for further information on the groundwater and Great Barrier Reef impacts of proposed Queensland coal seam gas (CSG) projects.
However, Minister Garrett's assessment is limited to impacts on threatened species. Without a trigger in our federal environment laws, the full impacts of CSG mining on farmland, groundwater and climate change cannot be assessed. The laws are inadequate to have the full impacts comprehensively assessed.
Minister Garrett is not considering the impacts of CSG mining on prime food producing land.
The Queensland Government approved BG Group’s CSG project despite the Coordinator-General's stated concerns about the lack of information regarding groundwater and consequent impacts on farmland.
In the new Federal Parliament, the Australian Greens will move to amend federal laws to add climate and coal seam gas triggers to the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act, so the cumulative impacts of this new industry are properly considered before approval is given.
The Australian Greens have welcomed Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett's request for further information on the groundwater and Great Barrier Reef impacts of proposed Queensland coal seam gas (CSG) projects.
The traditional food-producing region of the Darling Downs must not be put at risk in the rush by outside interests for mining profits.
Coal seam gas mining should not proceed at the expense of food production, water security, endangered species or the climate.
The Australian Greens will fight for better environmental laws which protect our food-producing land and the future of our rural communities.
