Coal news and updates

MOREE Plains Shire Council will revisit its long-standing moratorium on coal seam gas next week, the mayor has revealed.

 

It comes as gas company Comet Ridge investigates reactivating an exploration licence that covers the majority of the region.

 

About a month ago, the company requested a meeting with council, which is yet to take place. Mayor Katrina Humphries said the moratorium had been in place for about a decade, and now was the right time to revisit it.

 

"We have a new council, so we'll bring it back to them and see if they have the same feeling - that will determine if council continues its stance," Cr Humphries said.

 

"I'd be surprised if [the feeling] wasn't the same.

 

"Our priority is not to the world, it is to the ratepayers of Moree shire, to make sure that their water supply is secure. End of story."

 

Cr Humphries didn't want to say anything more until councillors had been given the opportunity to put forward their views at council's Strategic Asset and Works Committee meeting, on Thursday, August 8.

 

"I get in to the boxing ring in the office, not in the media," she said.

 

Last week, the Leader revealed Comet Ridge told a mining investor conference it would "revisit the significant acreage" it holds "once Narrabri is approved".

 

Comet Ridge has joint ownership of three Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) - which cover the Moree and Coonamble, Walgett and Warrumbungle shires - with gas giant Santos.

 

"Comet Ridge has commenced an exploration review - magnetics, gravity surveys, seismic [and] old wells," Comet Ridge said.

 

Santos refused to say if it was aware Comet Ridge had commenced an exploration review of the co-owned PELs, however the company "has no planned activities beyond the Narrabri Gas Project".

 

The three PELs Comet Ridge is investigating expired between three and eight years ago, however due to a loophole in the NSW legislation, the zombie licences are technically still active.

 

The NSW Nationals recently passed a motion to close this loophole at the party's state conference.

 

Source: Jamieson Murphy