AGL’s Gloucester Gas Project is on hold with the Federal environment minister Tony Burke delaying a decision on the development for up to 10 months.
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The minister extended the moratorium on the AGL approval process after the company sought changes to its project.
A decision on the future of stage one of the 300 coal seam gas well project was expected in late March after the minister extended the original assessment period by six months.
The project already has NSW Government approval but also requires Federal approval because of its potential impact on water resources.
Member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott welcomed the minister’s move.
“Coal seam gas mining is an issue that is moving rapidly within state and federal public policy development,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“The delay in the approval process is a sensible move while ever the future policy direction is being worked on.”
The decision to delay the AGL project was made on the same day Gloucester residents took part in a protest outside AGL headquarters in North Sydney and were among the estimated 8000 farmers, environmentalists and concerned residents from throughout regional New South Wales who protested outside NSW Parliament House.
It was also the day the NSW Upper House called for an even broader and more extensive moratorium on coal seam gas mining across the entire state.
Graeme Healy, chairperson of the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance, also welcomed the announcement.
Mr Healy said Minister Burke’s deferral of consideration of AGL’s Gloucester coal seam gas project application would give the community more time to press its case for a comprehensive water study to be undertaken.
“Hopefully, during this period, the Commonwealth Government’s Independent Expert Scientific Committee will have the opportunity to examine and comment on the wisdom of developing a coal seam gas field in the Gloucester Valley.”
