MEDIA RELEASE - 16 May 2012

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham congratulated Richmond Valley Council for placing a moratorium on coal seam gas and said the growing number of local council resolutions was a demonstration that the industry has not got a social licence to operate in NSW.

After initially backing coal seam gas, Richmond Valley Council voted unanimously last night to implement a moratorium on coal seam gas on council owned land.  http://bit.ly/K3c3Ck

“The growing number of local councils around NSW implementing their own ban on coal seam gas is a clear indication that the industry has not earned a social licence to operate in NSW,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Local government is acting to fill the void left by the state government’s failure to implement a moratorium on coal seam gas.

“Santos Chief Executive David Knox’s assertion that opposition to coal seam gas has “peaked” is just wishful thinking.  We saw a massive rally in Sydney recently, and 7,000 people marched through Lismore just last weekend.  Community understanding and concern continues to grow.

“Last week Marrickville Council voted against allowing coal seam gas at St Peters, and Dart Energy canned their plans to drill.  Narrabri Council is considering a motion to stop coal seam gas; Lismore Council has a moratorium; Moree Council, Leichhardt Council, Kyogle Council, Tweed, Byron, Wollongong Council, Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly have all expressed concern.

“There is nothing like a looming election to focus the mind of elected officials, and Councillors across NSW are recognising that the community wants to protect their land and water from the threat of coal seam gas.”

“Congratulations to Richmond Valley Council for standing up for their community and a healthy environment,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916

MEDIA RELEASE - 7 May 2012

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham has today questioned whether the NSW Government moratorium on issuing licences to frack for coal seam gas has ended?

On 2 December, Resources Minister Chris Hartcher announced an extension of the moratorium on fracking in NSW ’until April 2012 pending the completion of an independent review process’.

“It’s now May and we haven’t heard a word from the government about the moratorium on fracking.  Has the moratorium ended?  Will it be extended?  Has Minister Hartcher forgotten?” asked Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“The Legislative Council Inquiry into Coal Seam Gas recently recommended that the ban on fracking be extended until all the chemicals used in the process had been assessed by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme.”

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916

MEDIA RELEASE - 2 May 2012

The Greens NSW spokesperson on agriculture Jeremy Buckingham condemned the O’Farrell Government, particularly the National Party, for breaking its election commitment to remove the current exemption for public authorities under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. The gutless Labor Party voted with the Government against Greens amendment that would have made state authorities such as the RTA, Forests NSW and National Parks subject to the same rules as private landholders and farmers.

Currently public authorities are held to a lower standard than private landholders when it comes to noxious weed control requirements, and are exempt from all liabilities.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals ‘Controlling Noxious Weeds’ Policy 2011-2015 document said:

We will: Introduce mandatory weed management requirements in which departments, agencies and statutory authorities will be subject to the same rules and regulations as private landholders for efficient control of noxious weeds on lands managed by them. (p.3)  http://bit.ly/JRSJfj  

“It’s shameful that given the opportunity to actually vote in parliament to implement a promise they made at last year’s election, the government chose to break their promise,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham. 

“It’s yet another sign that the National Party is failing country NSW.  They’ve said one thing to voters before the election, but when push comes to shove they’re rolling over to their Liberal masters.

“First they’ve abandoned their promise that certain agricultural and sensitive environmental areas will be off-limits to mining, now they’ve abandoned a core promise on fair weed control.  What use are the Nationals?

“This is another example of the Greens representing the interests of farmers and country NSW,” he said.

The NSW Farmers Association called for the removal of the exemption in their February 2011 submission to the ‘Noxious Weeds Act 1993: Statutory Review Issues Paper’.

According to the Local Government & Shires Association, weeds cost NSW over $1.2 billion in lost production and control costs every year.

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916

MEDIA RELEASE  - 2 May 2012

The Greens NSW spokesperson on agriculture Jeremy Buckingham questioned whether the O’Farrell Government is set to break another election promise to country NSW as the Noxious Weeds Bill comes before Parliament today.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals ‘Controlling Noxious Weeds’ policy document said:

“We will: Introduce mandatory weed management requirements in which departments, agencies and statutory authorities will be subject to the same rules and regulations as private landholders for efficient control of noxious weeds on lands managed by them.” (p.3)  

“The government has made this election commitment, but has failed to put it into effect in the Noxious Weeds Amendment Bill 2012 currently before Parliament,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Currently public authorities such as the RTA, Forests NSW or water catchment authorities are held to a lower standard than private landholders when it comes to noxious weed control requirements,” he said.

The Greens will move the following amendments to legislate the Coalition’s election commitment:

1) Remove the exemption for public authorities that they comply with weed control orders only “to the extent necessary to prevent weeds from spreading to adjoining land”

2) Require government agencies to report annually on weed control measures

“The O’Farrell Government now has an opportunity to honour its election commitment to place the same expectations on public authorities to deal with weeds that currently applies to private land owners,” said Mr Buckingham.

According to the Local Government & Shires Association, weeds cost NSW over $1.2 billion in lost production and control costs every year.

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916