Residents of Gloucester and Camden in NSW are celebrating this morning's news that AGL are getting out of coal seam gas.
The company announced that it would not go ahead with its Gloucester Gas Project – which would have seen over 300 gas wells drilled around the town – due to the low price of gas, and lower than expected commercial gas reserves. CSG production in the Camden gas field will cease in 2023 – twelve years earlier than previously planned.
“This is fantastic and long-overdue news for the embattled Gloucester community, which has struggled for years to stop this project,” said Steve Phillips, Lock The Gate's regional coordinator for the Hunter and Central Rivers.
“Massive congratulations are due to the brave and hard-working local residents who put their lives on hold to fight for their community and their environment.
“It's a shame it was an economic decision from the company – rather than sensible policy from the NSW Government – that saved Gloucester from coal seam gas, but local residents will be thrilled with the decision regardless,” he said.
At Camden, in Western Sydney, local residents have welcomed the news that AGL are leaving town sooner than expected.
"The community in Camden are celebrating the announced phasing out of AGL's Camden Gas Project. Hopefully, the wells at Spring Farm with a history of leaking gas will be prioritised for closure," said Dan Robins, Lock The Gate's Sydney coordinator.
“All eyes are now on Santos in the Pilliga.
“It's crystal clear now that coal seam gas is a dead-end industry in NSW. This is a marginal industry with no long-term security, but massive long-term risks to water resources and local communities. We call on Santos to follow AGL's lead,” he said.