CSG well project opposed

ENVIRONMENTAL lobby group Lock the Gate Alliance has urged the Queensland Government to reject a planned coal seam gas field expansion planned for near one of the state’s worst environmental disasters.

Arrow Energy has lodged plans to drill 268 new gas wells within a 10km radius of the Linc Energy contamination site on the Queensland Western Downs, which was previously the subject of 314 sqkm excavation exclusion zone.

Lock the Gate spokeswoman Ellie Smith said a recent report found there was a risk of toxic chemicals spreading from the contaminated site as a result of CSG expansion.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Environment and Science and conducted by RDM Hydro, found that Arrow’s groundwater technical assessment was a “necessary simplification of a highly complex system” and their “conclusion that there will be no off-site contaminant migration may be incorrect”.

An Arrow Energy spokesman said they would work with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science on its application.

“We will continue to work cooperatively with government on understanding the scientific evidence from the ongoing monitoring plans,” he said.

“We remain confident that our proposed development is safe and can be implemented so as to not mobilise any contaminants present in the former Linc site,” he said.

Ms Smith said the state government should refuse the CSG expansion.

“We cannot afford to stick our heads in the sand and pretend this environmental contamination didn’t happen, and Arrow Energy should not be allowed to drill for CSG near the site and potentially spread this contamination further,” she said.