The BGSP Alliance has a long record of drawing attention to the threats that mining poses to our community. In the last few years this has focused particularly on coal and gas mining and the associated heavy industrial development proposals that threaten the agricultural and scenic qualities of the Barrington/Gloucester/Stroud valleys.
We are a non-political organization - we are focused on preserving our Valley for future generations.
We are not against mining per se, we believe that a responsible government should plan with the needs of people in mind, and allow mining companies to develop areas which do not overlap with food-bowls and residential areas. We also believe that there should be strict monitoring of any mining activity to ensure that all environmental concerns are properly addressed.
Since the Barrington/Gloucester/Stroud Valley has attracted several hundred retirees in recent years, we are fortunate in having reservoir of skilled professional expertise to help us. We endeavour to examine and respond to each exploration and mining lease as they have come one after the other to envelop our beautiful valley and threaten our agricultural and tourist industries.
The BGS Preservation Alliance elects a Management Committee whose role is to monitor the situation and respond appropriately. This is a hard working committee. As the display and response period for the applications by mining interests is very short, our members are kept under a great deal of pressure preparing carefully researched and factual response submissions.
Our work is mainly directed to preparing written submissions; to sending letters to representatives at all levels of government; and to alerting the local residents and public in general to what is happening here in our beautiful valley.
A major problem is that the Mining Act 1992, the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991, and the more recent (2005) Part 3A additions to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979), allow the Minister for Planning to override environmental protection provisions in favour of proposed mining developments. The mining industry is unique in that it has a legal right to develop landholders’ property without the owner’s consent.
We work alongside other local groups - Johnson’s Creek Conservation Committee Inc, The Ironstone Community Action Group Inc, Rivers SOS, and the Gloucester Residents Inc Partnership Inc (GRIP). We are now also allied with the State-wide “Lock the Gates Inc” which was recently set up in the Hunter Valley.
We are a non-political organization - we are focused on preserving our Valley for future generations.
We are not against mining per se, we believe that a responsible government should plan with the needs of people in mind, and allow mining companies to develop areas which do not overlap with food-bowls and residential areas. We also believe that there should be strict monitoring of any mining activity to ensure that all environmental concerns are properly addressed.
Since the Barrington/Gloucester/Stroud Valley has attracted several hundred retirees in recent years, we are fortunate in having reservoir of skilled professional expertise to help us. We endeavour to examine and respond to each exploration and mining lease as they have come one after the other to envelop our beautiful valley and threaten our agricultural and tourist industries.
The BGS Preservation Alliance elects a Management Committee whose role is to monitor the situation and respond appropriately. This is a hard working committee. As the display and response period for the applications by mining interests is very short, our members are kept under a great deal of pressure preparing carefully researched and factual response submissions.
Our work is mainly directed to preparing written submissions; to sending letters to representatives at all levels of government; and to alerting the local residents and public in general to what is happening here in our beautiful valley.
A major problem is that the Mining Act 1992, the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991, and the more recent (2005) Part 3A additions to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act (1979), allow the Minister for Planning to override environmental protection provisions in favour of proposed mining developments. The mining industry is unique in that it has a legal right to develop landholders’ property without the owner’s consent.
We work alongside other local groups - Johnson’s Creek Conservation Committee Inc, The Ironstone Community Action Group Inc, Rivers SOS, and the Gloucester Residents Inc Partnership Inc (GRIP). We are now also allied with the State-wide “Lock the Gates Inc” which was recently set up in the Hunter Valley.
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Julie Lyford speaks at the 'Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas' Rally
Sunday 20 March 2011
Julie Lyford speaks at the 'Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas' Rally
Sunday 20 March 2011
AGL Approval Challenged
1st June, 2011
A challenge has been lodged in the Land & Environment Court against the recent consent granted to AGL to develop their Gloucester Coal Seam Gas proposal.
AGL applied early in 2010 for overall Concept Approval to develop a three-stage methane gas field in the Stroud Gloucester Valley, a compression plant, and a pipeline from Stratford to Hexham. They also applied at the same time for Development Consent for the infrastructure elements and Stage I.
In November 2010 the Department of Planning recommended approval of both applications to the then Minister, who was the Consent Authority under Part 3A of the Planning Act. However, the Minister delegated his authority to the NSW Planning Advisory Commission, who then gave their approval on the 22nd of February 2011.
The present Summons has been lodged by the EDO (Environmental Defender’s Office) on behalf of their client, the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc. In the current edition of the EDO’s weekly eBulletin the following were identified as being among the key issues:
Risks to surface and groundwater quality and quantity when the gas wells are drilled, combined with lack of data about groundwater impacts given the fractured geological structure of the Stroud Gloucester Valley; and
Uncertainty about disposal of the polluted waste water which is produced, and the nature of the chemicals to be used in the underground fraccing process.
1st June, 2011
A challenge has been lodged in the Land & Environment Court against the recent consent granted to AGL to develop their Gloucester Coal Seam Gas proposal.
AGL applied early in 2010 for overall Concept Approval to develop a three-stage methane gas field in the Stroud Gloucester Valley, a compression plant, and a pipeline from Stratford to Hexham. They also applied at the same time for Development Consent for the infrastructure elements and Stage I.
In November 2010 the Department of Planning recommended approval of both applications to the then Minister, who was the Consent Authority under Part 3A of the Planning Act. However, the Minister delegated his authority to the NSW Planning Advisory Commission, who then gave their approval on the 22nd of February 2011.
The present Summons has been lodged by the EDO (Environmental Defender’s Office) on behalf of their client, the Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc. In the current edition of the EDO’s weekly eBulletin the following were identified as being among the key issues:
Risks to surface and groundwater quality and quantity when the gas wells are drilled, combined with lack of data about groundwater impacts given the fractured geological structure of the Stroud Gloucester Valley; and
Uncertainty about disposal of the polluted waste water which is produced, and the nature of the chemicals to be used in the underground fraccing process.
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22 March 2011
Uproar at Coal Seam Gas Forum
22 March 2011
Uproar at Coal Seam Gas Forum
A capacity audience of more than 200 people filled the Gloucester Soldiers Club on Tuesday night to put their questions and concerns about the recently approved Gloucester coal seam gas project directly to AGL.
The Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance convened the meeting and engaged an independent moderator to ensure the impartiality of proceedings.
While the majority of the audience was from the Gloucester Valley, people came from as far as Taree, Clarence Town and Broke. Alliance Chairperson, Graeme Healy, was not surprised that the forum drew its audience from such a wide area. “Mining here has a wide footprint due to the river systems and its being a watershed. The rivers flow northwards into the Manning and southwards to Port Stephens. People in these communities are vitally concerned about potential impacts on water. The gas pipeline will be laid through several shires all the way to Hexham, so the direct impact of this project is being felt in many communities.”
The meeting began in uproar when the moderator advised the audience that AGL would not allow media to attend the forum. Mr Healy observed that this was an entirely understandable and predictable reaction from the audience. “It seems to me to be a very foolish and short-sighted policy of AGL that does the company no good. It just creates in people’s minds a sense of suspicion – what have they got to hide, why aren’t they being open, why won’t they put it on the public record? People are now even more sceptical about AGL’s transparency.”
-The community’s concerns about the coal seam gas project are very broad and this was reflected in the questions being asked. These include: impacts on the levels and quality of the basin’s water table, aquifers and river systems; possible contamination from so called produced water; the visual and practical impact of the network of gas wells and access roads; the likelihood of toxic chemical residues being dispersed; noise from heavy vehicle movements; declining property values and the general industrialisation of the valley. From the mood of the audience at the conclusion of proceedings it is doubtful that many of these concerns were eased. Some remarked that it raised more questions than it answered. Many remain angry and totally opposed to the project.
AGL was represented at the meeting by its two local managers and two technical experts. While the audience was appreciative of their attendance, there was great disappointment and some anger that AGL had chosen not to make a senior manager available for the meeting. Mr Healy noted that many people have since commented that they see this as being indicative of AGL’s disregard, and even contempt, for the Gloucester community.
The BGSP Alliance will now seek a written response from AGL to the questions raised at the meeting.
ABC Radio Interview with Graeme Healy - CLICK HERE
Contact: Graeme Healy - 6558 8159
The Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance convened the meeting and engaged an independent moderator to ensure the impartiality of proceedings.
While the majority of the audience was from the Gloucester Valley, people came from as far as Taree, Clarence Town and Broke. Alliance Chairperson, Graeme Healy, was not surprised that the forum drew its audience from such a wide area. “Mining here has a wide footprint due to the river systems and its being a watershed. The rivers flow northwards into the Manning and southwards to Port Stephens. People in these communities are vitally concerned about potential impacts on water. The gas pipeline will be laid through several shires all the way to Hexham, so the direct impact of this project is being felt in many communities.”
The meeting began in uproar when the moderator advised the audience that AGL would not allow media to attend the forum. Mr Healy observed that this was an entirely understandable and predictable reaction from the audience. “It seems to me to be a very foolish and short-sighted policy of AGL that does the company no good. It just creates in people’s minds a sense of suspicion – what have they got to hide, why aren’t they being open, why won’t they put it on the public record? People are now even more sceptical about AGL’s transparency.”
-The community’s concerns about the coal seam gas project are very broad and this was reflected in the questions being asked. These include: impacts on the levels and quality of the basin’s water table, aquifers and river systems; possible contamination from so called produced water; the visual and practical impact of the network of gas wells and access roads; the likelihood of toxic chemical residues being dispersed; noise from heavy vehicle movements; declining property values and the general industrialisation of the valley. From the mood of the audience at the conclusion of proceedings it is doubtful that many of these concerns were eased. Some remarked that it raised more questions than it answered. Many remain angry and totally opposed to the project.
AGL was represented at the meeting by its two local managers and two technical experts. While the audience was appreciative of their attendance, there was great disappointment and some anger that AGL had chosen not to make a senior manager available for the meeting. Mr Healy noted that many people have since commented that they see this as being indicative of AGL’s disregard, and even contempt, for the Gloucester community.
The BGSP Alliance will now seek a written response from AGL to the questions raised at the meeting.
ABC Radio Interview with Graeme Healy - CLICK HERE
Contact: Graeme Healy - 6558 8159
Next Step in Our Court Challenge to AGL’s Gloucester Gas Project
Gloucester Gas Project Poses Unknown Risks to Groundwater
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc. Media statement, 11 July 2011
DOWNLOAD HERE
Gloucester Gas Project Poses Unknown Risks to Groundwater
Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc. Media statement, 11 July 2011
DOWNLOAD HERE