south burnett times news item

The following item is from today's edition of the South Burnett Times Friday 4th March 2011.

QUOTE

COUGAR'S CLAWS ARE STILL OUT

"DERM IS CONFIDENT THE DECISION WILL WITHSTAND ANY LEGAL CHALLENGE."

LANDOWNERS against Cougar Energy's underground coal gasification site at Coolabunia aren't surprised the company has challenged the government's decision to permanently close operations.

Kingaroy Concerned Citizens Group secretary John Dalton said it was "another desperate move" from Cougar.

"They're the only ones who can't except that shutting down the plant is the only responsible thing to do," Mr Dalton said.

"It's the same old stuff they've always done; I'm not surprised they've challenged because they've lost a lot of money through all of this."

Cougar chairman Malcolm McAuley said the company challenged the Department of Environment and Resource Management's (DERM) decision to shut down its plant because it believed the government appointed scientific panel's investigation was flawed.

"It must be remembered that Cougar Energy's Kingaroy project never presented any danger to human health, drinking water, livestock nor farming activities in the region," Mr McAuley said. DERM will now review Cougar's submission but said it "would not apologise for putting the safety of the community first".

"The investigation into the incident at Cougar's site was a six month investigation which included a review by the independent scientific expert panel,' a spokeswoman said.

"We followed the appropriate legal process to allow the company to provide a submission about the proposed amended Environmental Authority. When the final amended Environmental Authority is issued, Cougar will have a legal right to appeal, however DERM is confident the decision will withstand any legal challenge."

ENDS

There is also a small photograph beneath it reads:-

A CHALLENGE: Cougar Energy has challenged the State Government's decision to permanently shut down its underground coal gasification plant at Coolabunia. PHOTO: COUGAR ENERGY

ENDS