The Queensland Government has ordered QGC to clean up a significant erosion incident caused by the company’s coal seam gas wells in a state forest north east of Roma that led to sediment being released into local waterways.
Earlier this month, the Queensland Environment Department issued an Environmental Enforcement Order to the Shell-owned company for failing to put in place “suitable erosion and sediment control measures” at its gas wells in Organ State Forest.
The order followed an inspection audit, during which Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers found QGC’s failings had led to a total of 75 m3 of soil eroding and sediment washing into local waterways in stormwater runoff.
Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Ellen Roberts said, “It’s concerning that QGC’s coal seam gas operations in a public forest has caused significant erosion and led to the release of sediment into local waterways. There are thousands of coal seam gas wells pockmarking forests across Queensland, and this incident demonstrates one of the many ways they can cause environmental harm.
“QGC is backed by multinational oil and gas company Shell, which last year made a profit of more than $23 billion. While we welcome the issuing of an enforcement order, the Queensland Government should have gone further and fined QGC - this is a company that has more than enough money to avoid making mistakes that cause harm to Queensland’s much-loved environment.”
ENDS
The gas wells responsible for the erosion and sediment release are highlighted with white circles.
