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APPEA refutes claims of coal seam gas industry exploitation
By Arlie Douglas from , QLD

Monday, 12/04/2010

The peak body representing the coal seam gas industry denies the sector has affected underground water aquifers and says there are now adequate measures in place to protect the environment.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association or APPEA says it thinks the industry can meet the trigger thresholds put in place last week by the State Government.

APPEA's Matthew Paull says he refutes the claims, made by Dalby lawyer Peter Shannon in the Queensland Country Hour last week, that the industry exploited loopholes in Queensland legislation.

Mr Paull says he isn't aware of any damage his industry has caused.

"I wouldn't say that damage has been done, we recognise that there may be impacts on underground water reserves from CSG activity as there are from many activities such as the extraction of groundwater for irrigation."

"Properly managed though none of those activities need cause harm to groundwater reserves."

Mr Paull denies that the industry has not reported fully their activities relating to water saying it's his understanding that companies did all they were asked.

"I think the industry is always concerned about the impact on the environment, the geology in Queensland though is unique to Queensland so I think it's the local example that will matter."

He says he doesn't believe the industry is moving too quickly for the science or the legislation.

"We've been extensively involved in developing environmental regulations and providing the industry view on those and as I say it's quite a high standard that the industry will be held to."

And a lobby group from Dalby has today announced plans for a website to monitor the levels of Queensland aquifers in Coal Seam Gas (CSG) extraction areas.

The Environmental Property and Protection Association says the website will allow bore owners to log the levels of their bores as a record of the levels.

The EPPA says it has invited coal seam gas companies to participate in the data collection.

Also the independent member for Nanango, Dorothy Pratt, says a public meeting in Kingaroy tonight will give people a chance to get information on coal seam gas mining from a neutral source.

Officers from the Department of Environment and Resource Management will answer questions from residents about the effects of Cougar Energy's underground coal gasification project.

Cougar has started testing gas reserves and wants to build a gas-fired power station near Kingaroy.