Borehole digs up public concern
THE NSW Planning Assessment Commission will hold a public meeting in Helensburgh on October 17 to hear views on its plans to approve Apex Energy’s exploratory borehole in Darkes Forest.
News of the public meeting follows Sydney Water's recent decision to deny Apex access to its land where the exploration well would be sited.
The Commission’s acting team leader, Lise Sperling, said planning consent preceded any ancillary approvals that would be needed by the company to proceed with its plans.
The borehole would be Apex’s 16th exploration well in the Illawarra and has attracted considerable public comment since the anti-coal seam gas lobby began warning of dangers in the industry. About 1050 submissions – mostly objections – were received by the NSW Planning Department, with most generated through a form letter on the Otford Protection Society’s website.
While the exhibition period for the proposal finished last February, the high number of public comments opposed to the project led the Commission to evaluate the project further.
“Due to the level of public interest in the project, the Commission will be meeting to hear submitter’s views on the recommendation prior to determining the project,” said Ms Sperling in a letter to those who had made submissions.
She referred to the Commission’s website (www.pac.nsw.gov.au ) for documentation and recommendations, with reports describing the proposed location as a sensitive site.
“Consequently, the Department has recommended strict conditions of approval, which would ensure negligible environmental consequences, with the exception of limited clearing associated with re-opening access to the site and constructing a drill pad, the extent of which would be minimised,” the recommendation on the website reads.
“The Department has also recommended that most of these conditions be applied to the other boreholes covered by the existing approval, thereby strengthening the regulatory framework for all wells.”
The Commission’s John Court (chair) and Joe Woodward will conduct the hearing at which members of the public can make a short address by registering with Ms Sperling by Thursday, October 13, on 9383 2102 or email lise.sperling@planning.nsw.gov.au
The meeting will be held at the Helensburgh Workers Club starting at 9am.
