Roy Butler Disapproval Of Narrabri Gas Project

MEMBER for Barwon, Roy Butler has shared his concerns over the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC) recent decision to give conditional approval to the Santos Narrabri coal-seam gas project.

Related Story: Narrabri Gas Project Approved

Mr Butler said he is hopeful the IPC Water Expert Panel will find that the project cannot continue due to groundwater contamination risks.

“I’d rather that the project was not approved,” Mr Butler said.

“Most communities rely on groundwater during drought…we have alternatives to create energy, but we don’t have alternatives for water,” he said.

“Although the preference is not to interfere with groundwater at all, I do however take some heart that the IPC has listened to our concerns around groundwater and have introduced additional tests in this respect,” he said.

“The project does not have a ‘green light’, it’s still a flashing ‘amber’ as it must meet the 134 conditions,” said Mr Butler.

Mr Butler said the Shooters Fishers and Farmers (SFF) Party will seek to fully understand the 134 conditions and their implications and if the project proceeds, will ensure Santos is held fully accountable for compliance.

“The SFF Party has opposed the project,” Mr Butler said.

“That was the position I took to the 2019 election,” he said.

“Narrabri was always going to be expensive gas,” he said.

“Compliance with the 134 conditions will likely make it dearer,” said Mr Butler.