Lock the Gate Alliance has called for the final report of the WA Fracking Inquiry to be released to the public without delay.

The inquiry’s report was handed to the government today.

A spokesperson for Lock the Gate in WA Jane Hammond said the issue of fracking was of major public interest.

“The findings of the fracking inquiry should be open to debate and public discussion prior to any decision being made by the State Government on lifting the current fracking moratorium covering much of the state,” Ms Hammond said.

Revelations on ABC News last night that the Maules Creek coal mine in the state’s North West captured over a billion litres of rainfall it was not licenced to take and use has raised questions about the legality of water capture by the Hunter Valley mining industry.

The NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator has commenced an investigation into the capture of surface water by mining companies, as farmers in north-west NSW claim that Maules Creek coal mine has captured millions of litres of water without obtaining water licences.

A survey of Upper Hunter residents by Hunter Research Foundation Centre has found more than half (55%) of people in the Upper Hunter agree that the Hunter region economy should diversify away from reliance on coal mining. Only 23% disagreed.

The Limestone Coast Protection Alliance has thanked the Member for Mt Gambier Troy Bell and the South Australian Government for voting today in support of turning the promised ten year moratorium on fracking in the Limestone Coast into law.