Lock the Gate Alliance strongly supports independent NSW MLC Justin Field’s new Bill to extinguish the zombie petroleum licences covering much of north west NSW.
Notice of the Bill follows recent comments by NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall calling for companies to relinquish the zombie PELs that cover the Moree Plains.
Last year at the NSW Nationals Annual Conference, members passed a motion for the party to lobby the NSW Government to extinguish all zombie PELs, which cover an area of 56,000km2 between the QLD border, Dubbo, and the Upper Hunter.
However, there has been no move to act on the motion and extinguish these PELs until now.
“Adam Marshall has certainly talked the talk, so we’re now calling on him and his NSW National colleagues in government to walk the walk,” said Lock the Gate Alliance NSW spokesperson Georgina Woods.
“While we welcome statements from some National Party members about getting rid of these CSG licences, their comments are woefully late, given precious groundwater including Great Artesian Basin recharge has now been put at risk with the approval of the Narrabri gasfield.
“By supporting the Narrabri gasfield, the government has placed the groundwater farmers rely on at perilous threat.
“That’s why Lock the Gate Alliance will continue to stand in solidarity with Traditional Owners, farmers, and the wider community who are fighting Santos’ barbaric gasfield proposal.
“Having failed to stop the gasfield's approval, National Party members can at least now keep faith with their own membership and support Justin Field’s Bill to kill the zombie CSG licences.”