Victoria halts new onshore gas exploration licences

The Victorian Coalition Government in Australia has decided not to grant work plan approvals for onshore gas exploration until it gets more information about the industry’s effect on the environment.

The government will not consider work plan applications for onshore exploratory drilling activities until more data is available from a water study.

Community views and industry impacts are taken into account also. Onshore gas community consultation sessions will be held in June.

Victoria Minister for Energy and Resources Russell Northe said that it is important that the community and industry are clear about what activities are allowed and not allowed.

"The Coalition Government’s cautious approach to potential onshore gas activity will ensure the economic benefits of onshore natural gas development are properly balanced against the legitimate interests of local communities, landowners and the environment," Northe added.

The government’s move to halt approvals affects the plans of Lakes Oil, which aims to drill a well around 1,500m below the surface at Seaspray.

Lakes Oil director Rob Annells told The Weekly Times that there was no reason the government should reject his application and it was a "compromising type situation" to fracking.

---

Image: Victoria Minister for Energy and Resources Russell Northe. Photo: courtesy of Parliament of Victoria.