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Category: Environment / Mining Environmental Issues / Mining (Rural) / Mining Industry / Forests / Water Management / Water Pollution

Pilliga CSG wastewater project can go ahead after legal bid fails

Monday, 1 Aug 2016 15:31:05

Santos hoped to build a wastewater treatment plan, in addition to storage ponds. (Lisa Herbert)

An environmental group has failed in its legal bid to stop the development and operation of a coal seam gas wastewater treatment plant near the Pilliga State Forest in northern New South Wales.

People for the Plains accused CSG giant Santos of failing to have its Leewood facility near Narrabri correctly assessed and approved by the State Government.

But the Land and Environment Court has found Santos was operating within the law and dismissed the case.

People for the Plains spokesman Rohan Boehm said it was an incredibly disappointing outcome.

"We have asked the EDO [Environmental Defender's Office] to have a very close look at this judgment and they will advise us as to whether this sets a precedent," he said.

"They will also advise as to what grounds of appeal we may have if that really does exist."

Santos plans to store, process and treat wastewater from its coal seam gas wells in the area on a property which it owns.

Storage ponds exist onsite already but Santos hopes the new Leewood facility will open the way to treat 500 megalitres of toxic waste liquid water for irrigation.

People for the Plains said the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) process was too brief and did not provide sufficient opportunity for comment.

The ABC obtained documents showing serious concerns raised by the NSW Government after the REF was published.

Santos has always maintained the approvals process was correct and proper, and adequate community consultation was carried out.

AustraliaPlus


 

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