Member for Gosford Mr Chris Holstein has responded to an article in the last edition of Coast Community News which stated he had chosen to ignore the threats coal seam gas mining posed to the region.
“It is fair to say that I have responded to numerous requests from constituents on this matter, and similar matters, during the past year in particular,” Mr Holstein said.
“However what is unfair to say is that I am not engaging with the electorate or constituents, because I am.
“What I am concerned about is the unnecessary ‘Scare Campaign’ over this issue on the Central Coast. Every Green Party sub-group or association or Green Party inspired gathering is trying to create a problem in Gosford when no such problem exists.
“Let us deal with the facts rather than the emotional rhetoric that has become commonplace within the activist movements with political agendas.
“There are currently no activity approvals for Coal Seam Gas exploration anywhere on the Central Coast.
“AGL’s Camden Gas Project in South West Sydney is the only active CSG facility in NSW and currently produces 5% of NSW’s natural gas needs.
“Any proposal for exploration of Coal Seam Gas would require an activity approval from the Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG). “The NSW Government will continue to work with local communities through the NSW Gas Plan to ensure that any gas production across the state is subject to our stringent regulations to protect our precious water and vital agricultural land.
“The NSW Government has put in place the most comprehensive regulatory controls for the coal seam gas industry in Australia to protect our vital land and water resources.
“On The Central Coast, there are six PELs (Petroleum Exploration Licences) in total that were issued under previous Governments, four in Wyong LGA and two in Gosford LGA.
“All of these titles are heavily impacted by exclusion zones and national parks, but more importantly, there are no active coal seam gas activities occurring in the Wyong and Gosford LGAs.
“Some of these wells have been drilled in the past but none are active and some have been decommissioned and are awaiting final inspection and confirmation from the Office of Coal Seam Gas.
“The remaining are legacy wells which were drilled decades ago and are on the Derelict Mines Program which will determine whether further work is required to decommission these wells.
“I committed previously to water being our first priority and I remain committed,” Mr Holstein said.
Media statement,
19 Feb 2015
Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford