Victoria announces permanent ban on onshore gas fracking

The Government of Victoria in Australia has announced a ban on all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development in the state including hydraulic fracturing, as well as coal seam gas.

Set to be introduced to Parliament later this year, the permanent legislative ban will protect the ‘clean, green’ reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector, which provides employment to more than 190,000 people.

The latest move will serve as a sigh of relief for Victorian farmers who are worried about the environmental and health risks associated with fracking.

The decision also forms part of the government response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Onshore Unconventional Gas in Victoria that was made last year.

More than 1,600 submissions were received and most of them opposed to onshore unconventional gas.

The ban will protect the farmers of Victoria and excludes other types of activities such as gas storage, carbon storage research and accessing offshore resources that are not covered by the current moratorium.

Offshore gas exploration and development is set to continue despite the ban.

The existing moratorium on unconventional onshore gas exploration and development is expected to remain until Parliament passes the legislation.

The government noted that fracking will remain banned and will also legislate to extend the current moratorium on the exploration and development until 30 June 2020.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said: “Our farmers produce some of the world’s cleanest and freshest food. We won’t put that at risk with fracking.

“Victorians have made it clear that they don’t support fracking and that the health and environmental risks involved outweigh any potential benefits.”

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Image: The permanent legislative ban will protect the ‘clean, green’ reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector. Photo: courtesy of Premier of Victoria.