Meanwhile, the Lock the Gate Alliance is slamming the state government for neglecting to include the Northern Rivers in its Strategic Regional Land Use Plan.
The local anti coal seam gas group is concerned that until an assessment policy is in place to protect the north coast, the government has effectively given coal seam gas companies a green light to mine the region.
“We have no idea how long it’s going to take. We already had Metgasco announce that they want to drill 1000 wells in the Northern Rivers as part of their plans, so is that going to happen before or after this assessment is done.”
The alliance is also criticising the state government’s new draft code for exploration, claiming it fails to protect the rights of landowners.
“It doesn’t include a provision for land owners to say no to exploration on their land.”
