Queensland Senator Larissa Waters asks important questions in parliament, that need some urgent answers. Senator Waters says there are massive concerns raised (and also within government departments) about what the CSG industry will do to our groundwater.
With total entitlements in the Eastern Recharge Groundwater Source currently exceeding 32,000 ML/yr, the Eastern Recharge Groundwater Source is classified as a high risk of over-extraction. If everyone extracted water to the level of their licensed entitlement, there would not be enough water for all existing water users and to protect the groundwater source in the medium to long term.
The department has been notified of four coal seam gas operations in the Fitzroy region operating outside of their Environmental Authorities since 30 November. These are:
Fitzroy coal seam gas operations:
CSG Arrow Energy (Moranbah) (20 Dec) – unauthorised release of water.
CSG Molopo Energy (Moura) (7 Dec) – unauthorised release of water.
CSG APLNG (Wandoan) (27-28 Dec) – controlled discharge of produced water to prevent pond overtopping.
APLNG (Westgrove)* (27 Dec) – controlled discharge of produced water to prevent pond overtopping.
Government website (Water for the Future) – http://www.environment.gov.au/water/locations/gab/index.html
More risks than benefits in CSG