christines 10 point plan for csg, page-4

G'day folks ,

I've just got this from the NSW Labor website. It gives you the detail of the 10 points. Definitely worth a read for investors. Note the first line which is the title. Their words not mine. Not much to fear imo and in some ways pre establishes some certainty for csm developers.


A sustainable coal and coal seam gas industry for NSW

Posted: Tuesday, 15 March 2011 | By: Kristina Keneally

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally today released a 10-point plan to deal with coal mining and coal seam gas exploration � an emerging environmental concern across the State.

Under the 10 point plan, a re-elected Keneally Government will ban:

* Mining licences in waterways adjoining national parks; and
* the use of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes (BTEX) chemicals in coal seam gas operations.

The 10-point gas plan is an initial response to community and industry consultation.

NSW's $13.3 billion coal industry underpins almost 90,000 jobs � comprising 19,000 direct jobs and a further 70,000 related jobs across the State.

�The plan strikes a balance between the needs of the mining industry and community concerns about environmental protection,� Ms Keneally said.

�We recognise that there are concerns about the impact of coal seam gas mining and the technique known as hydraulic-fracturing or "fracking", but we also need to protect jobs in the industry � this policy strikes a balance.�

Fracking is a process that results in the creation of fractures in rocks. Fracturing is done from a wellbore drilled into reservoir rock formations to increase the rate and recovery of oil and natural gas. Recently, there has been concern about the possible contamination of ground water, air quality and movement of gases and chemicals to the surface.

The 10 point plan was shaped by Labor�s Coal and Coal Seam Gas Strategy community consultation in Gunnedah, Illawarra, Hunter and the Central West.

A re-elected Keneally Government will:

1. Ban exploration activities in waterways adjoining national parks and wind back exploration licences from other sensitive areas
In addition to banning exploration activities in waterways adjoining national parks, Labor will remove exploration licences on waterways in close proximity to national parks.

2. Ban the use of BTEX chemicals in coal seam gas operations
While there is currently no evidence of the use of these chemicals in NSW, a re-elected Keneally Government will eliminate their potential for use in the future.

3. Introduce exclusion zones to assist strategic land use planning
Under a re-elected Keneally Government, work will commence immediately to develop criteria to identify areas that will be permanently protected from mining and extraction activities because they are environmentally, socially or economically significant.
Examples of potential exclusion zones include those which support valuable industries such as the Hunter Wine Industry, the thoroughbred industry as well as prime productive agricultural land.
4. Appoint three additional regional planning compliance officers to ensure industry best practice standards are maintained � bringing the number to six
Doubling the number of regional compliance officers will ensure industry best practice standards are maintained and community concerns are investigated appropriately.

5. Conduct an audit of gas wells and drill sites across NSW to examine how operators have complied with conditions of approval for their exploration licences and operational wells
The findings of the audit will be used to inform the final outcomes of the coal and gas taskforce.

6. Introduce new exploration protocols with increased minimum payments for exploration and production wells to guide coal seam gas industry practice regarding the use of farming lands
A re-elected Keneally Government will mandate minimum payments to landowners to recognise the business consequences of exploration and extraction activities on farming.

7. Provide State guidelines to assist Councils negotiate contributions from mining companies
Voluntary Planning Agreements are currently negotiated between local councils and companies with development applications before the Department of Planning. A re-elected Keneally Government will develop guidelines to provide greater equity and clarity to mining and extraction companies and local communities, as well as providing a more strategic and regional focus to these agreements

8. Appoint a Coal and Gas Ombudsman to investigate and respond to complaints related to mining and exploration and extraction activities

9. Ensure future approvals for gas pipelines are conditional on being located on public land corridors and Travelling Stock Routes to avoid agricultural land
A re-elected Keneally Government will ensure certain categories of agricultural land will no longer be available to host gas pipelines due to the impacts on agricultural production. Alternative routes, in particular publicly owned crown reserves and travelling stock routes, will be preferred pipeline and infrastructure corridors.

10. Establish new State Rehabilitation Awards to recognise excellence in returning mining lands to their natural state

This will encourage and recognise high quality mine and gas well rehabilitation projects to highlight exemplary practice.

NSW Planning Minister, Tony Kelly said: �Our 10 point plan will provide greater certainty for all sides of the coal debate and make a difference for local communities, bringing greater balance to the sustainable management of our resources.�

�This is about ensuring a sustainable industry that respects its neighbours � whether it is other industries like farming, winemakers or thoroughbred breeders, as well as surrounding communities themselves.

�While coal seam gas exploration and extraction in NSW is far less common than in Queensland, Labor‟s 10 point plan provides a way forward on a number of key issues of community concern.

�The 10 point plan is an initial response coming out of the Government‟s Coal and Gas Strategy, with further work to be undertaken in conjunction with the reference group and relevant agency heads.�

The plan follows the Keneally Government's introduction of tough new rules for coal seam gas exploration licences in December 2010.

These include rigorous community consultation and tighter environmental controls during the approval process.

The new requirements will be subject to a staged implementation and involve the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, the Department of Planning and Industry & Investment NSW.