NSW Labor has adopted a policy to ban coal seam gas (CSG) development in the Sydney drinking water catchment. This is the first commitment from a major party to support exclusion zones to protect our water.

It’s a welcome announcement and a win for the campaign. Stop CSG Illawarra set out to have policies from all parties reflect a safe approach to CSG, and we congratulate NSW Labor on this decision. We want the land in NSW that supplies our drinking water protected. A ban on CSG in drinking water catchment areas is commonsense.

CSG exploration and mining always involves unearthing water that is high in salt and methane, and can contain toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals. It involves methane leaks and industrial development that’s incompatible with our drinking water catchments.

The spotlight must shine on this debate as communities remind the government who they work for!

Before the last State election, Barry O’Farrell promised such a ban:

“The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur… in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee.”

The Premier has not kept this promise. CSG licences have been renewed and wells approved in drinking water catchments under the current Government. We demand the Coalition to keep O’Farrell’s promise and remember who they work for.

The legislation must change, and our communities will fight until it does.

Read more in the Illawarra Mercury: Labor’s CSG ban not political and Coalition’s turn to protect water.