Ann: Seismic aquisition program, page-103

A legal stoush between Metgasco and the Lismore City Council could be looming.

The gas company's plans to carry out seismic testing near Bentley could be in jeopardy, after councillors last night voted 5-2 to refuse access to council-owned roads.  When Metgasco announced its plans in late September, it said State Government approval for the testing had already been obtained.  The Lismore Mayor has called on the State Government to step in to resolve the dispute.

Jenny Dowell said the council was prepared for a legal battle.  "Injunctions or court action or something like that rather than staff or councillors getting out on the front line," she said.  "But we are very serious about this.  We believe we have the right to refuse and I think the ball is very much in the [State] Government's court.  You said that this was going to be resolved - you need to resolve this."

Lismore's Deputy Mayor, Simon Clough, said the council's stance reflected community opposition to the CSG industry.  "It's time that council took action and reminded Metgasco of the community's position," he said,  "But also it's a strong practical measure in the sense that it's saying that council is prepared to take this matter further if necessary."

A group called the Bentley Gatekeepers has called on the Richmond Valley Council to adopt a similar stance.  Spokesman Ross Joseph said that council's position statement on CSG meant it should refuse Metgasco access for seismic testing or the resumption of drilling at the Rosella site.  "It's clearly worded, it says 'cannot support the development of the unconventional gas industry in this local government area'," he said,  "Both of those proposed activities by Metgasco are clearly part of a proposed development of the unconventional gas industry in this area."

Metgasco's managing director described the situation as absurd.  Peter Henderson said the company has State Government approval, and that is what counts.  "That's the body that looks after the management of resources in the state," he said.  "If the New South Wales Government gives us the right to explore, wouldn't it be absurd if local councils could simply stand in the way on the basis of ideological reasons?  That would be absurd."

(Edited for readability (and correct punctuation))


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-14/lismmore-vs-metgasco/6852482?WT.ac=localnews_northcoast