Mr Roberts said the Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) had told Metgasco the licence would be suspended because the company did not fulfil a condition of its exploration licence, namely to undertake genuine and effective consultation with the community as required. “OCSG is conducting an ongoing audit of all Petroleum Exploration Licences across NSW and is focused on ensuring company compliance with title conditions,” Mr Roberts said. “I have been advised by OCSG that fundamental concerns have been expressed by members of the affected community about the way in which Metgasco has characterised its activities. He said he has written to the ICAC Commissioner following receipt of information concerning shareholdings and interests in Metgasco Limited. “In accordance with Section 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act, I have referred this to the Commissioner to ensure that any decisions pertaining to PEL 16 have been made entirely properly and without any undue interest or influence.” Not going to stop Aidan Ricketts, a social activist and lecturer at Southern Cross University who helped advise the Bentley blockade, said he was “stunned and emotional” about the government’s decision. About 1000 protesters are on the site on Thursday morning. Mr Ricketts said as many as 5000-8000 were expected to arrive over the weekend ahead of police efforts to end the protest. “It wouldn’t have mattered what the police did. It wouldn’t have worked,” he said. “This community wasn’t going to stop.” Mr Ricketts said he was amazed that the government admitted the lack of community consultation and local opposition was the reason to suspend the licence. “Mostly when governments and corporations back down, they find some backdoor technicality to sneak out,” Mr Ricketts said. “What’s really powerful about this outcome they are admitting absolutely openly that it is community...that is the real reason.”
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 01:48:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015