Arrow Energy, the gas drilling company, reported to regulators that they found traces of carcinogen chemicals in shallow bore wells near Darby, Qld. But quickly added, the small traces were not a result of gas production activities. They further claimed "the aquifier is not used for stock or domestic water."
The Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management are now investigating the origins of this contamination.
Whether or not Arrow Energy is responsible for the B-Tex chemicals in the bores the fact remains that serious toxins are in the water supply. All drilling should cease until the origin is determined and demonstrated drilling had nothing to do with it. Indeed, Arrow Energy has done us a favour by reporting the presence of toxic chemicals.
The Darling Downs is an extremely important agricultural region not only for the community of approximately 240,000 residents, but also all who receive its produce.
There should be great concern about this discovery. Lock the Gate Alliance, Sydney Residents Against Coal Seam Gas Mining and politicians like Bob Brown and Malcolm Turnbull, among many more are calling for a moratorium on gas drilling.
Clive Palmer, the mining magnate, is extemely critical of coal seam gas mining asserting that the current technology is "lethal and will kill Australians". It will "poison our water table and destroy the land." A Chinese firm (not identified) has raised a stern warning raising similar concerns.
ParraCANs are duly concerned about the coal seam gas mining industry. We are strongly committed to getting a moratorium on gas exploration in NSW. We feel that this matter is too important not to be openly debated in the public domain. Our water supply and fertile food lands, not to forget the broader ecological ramifications, need greater scrutiny and review. We demand that our governments legislate and govern fuller transparency and accountability of this industry.
