the hon anthony roberts mp
TRANSCRIPT
The Hon Anthony Roberts MP Minister for Resources and Energy
Special Minister of State
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 4 December 2014
NEW CONDITIONS FOR DART ENERGY’S PEL 445
Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts today said new conditions have been placed on Dart Energy (Bruxner) Pty Ltd with the renewal of its Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 445 on the NSW North Coast.
Dart Energy is only permitted to undertake low impact exploration activities including data review, mapping and technical evaluation. Any other activities require further approvals and are subject to the Government’s strict new conditions and regulations.
Dart Energy must also meet the Government’s licence conditions for community consultation.
Mr Roberts said Dart Energy has also relinquished more than a quarter of the PEL title area it previously held.
“This means areas around Lismore, Ballina, Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby are now released from Dart Energy’s title area,” Mr Roberts said.
“The Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) recommended the renewal of PEL 445 for six years based on the company’s financial and technical capacity, good record of environmental management and rehabilitation.”
As outlined in the NSW Gas Plan, a freeze on new PEL applications remains in place until the new Strategic Release Framework is introduced next year.
“Under the former Labor Government, PELs were handed out for just $1,000 each with little oversight and regulation of the industry,” Mr Roberts said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s Gas Plan provides a clear, strategic framework to deliver world’s best practice regulation of the industry, based on the expert advice from the independent NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer.
“The new Strategic Release Framework will evaluate economic, social and environmental factors, with community consultation conducted upfront, before the NSW Government releases a proposed title area for expressions of interest.
“The NSW Government is committed to delivering world’s best practice regulation of the gas industry to protect our water, agricultural land, environment and other critical industries.”
UKI
DRAKE
YAMBA
ILUKA
LEGUME
CUDGEN
CLUNES
NIMBIN
CORAKI
TABULAM
BONALBO
WOOMBAH
HARWOOD
MACLEAN
TYALGUM
MOOBALLKUNGHUR
FEDERAL
CANIABA
WARDELL
BANGALOW
WOODBURN
WHIPORIE
MAIN ARM
CAWONGLA
WYRALLAH
WIANGAREE
RAPPVILLE
BARYULGIL
TUMBULGUM
POTTSVILLEWOODENBONG
URBENVILLE
CHATSWORTH
EVANS HEAD
BROADWATER
BURRINGBAR
MODANVILLE
GOOLMANGAR
WOLLONGBAR
LENNOX HEAD
MALLANGANEE
OLD BONALBO
RILEYS HILL
THE CHANNON
CHILLINGHAM
MULLUMBIMBY
GOONENGERRY
ALSTONVILLE
SUFFOLK PARK
OCEAN SHORES
MALABUGILMAH
MURWILLUMBAH
HASTINGS POINT
CABARITA BEACH
STOKERS SIDING
CASINO
KYOGLE
BALLINA
LISMORE
BYRON BAYKyogle LGA
Tenterfield LGA
Richmond Valley LGA
Clarence Valley LGA
Tweed LGA
Lismore LGA
Byron LGA
Ballina LGA
Glen Innes Severn Shire LGA
±0 10 20 30
km
2km Residential ExclusionsLGA OutlinesRevised Renewal AreaPEL445 Current Title AreaHighway
Bruxner Highway
Pacifi
c High
way
Dart Energy PEL445