BY IAN CROUCH
After pressure from landowners and the NSW Greens, the state government has moved to prohibit gas exploration on large tracts of land across regional NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Resources, John Barilaro has confirmed the government has given effect to its Future of Gas Statement, with historic amendments to the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), delivering a 77 per cent reduction in areas available for gas exploration in NSW.
He says gas exploration and production in 16 Local Government Areas is now prohibited.
These include the Central West, Orana, New England North West and Hunter regions.
The exception is the Narrabri Gas Project, where the remaining active Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) will be allowed to continue.
John Barilaro says the Narrabri project is crucial for regional economies and vital for manufacturers and heavy energy users while keeping power prices down.
"Not only will the project supply about half of our domestic gas, it will also create 1350 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing local jobs, and generate up to $3 billion in direct revenue for the NSW and Commonwealth governments through royalties and taxes." he said.
 |
| The NSW Government has moved to prohibit gas exploration across vast tracts of regional land in the state. Picture newcastleherald.com.au |
