“The extreme price of gas and future risks to supply are dire portents for the future of gas intensive manufacturers, particularly those who use gas as feedstock for basic chemicals, fertiliser and explosives which support our food and resources sectors. Industry needs every option on the table to maximise their chance of investing, creating jobs and contributing to the community. That very much includes new onshore gas production like the Narrabri proposal in New South Wales, particularly where developers are willing to offer secure contracts at a discount to export pricing,” Ai Group NSW Head, Mark Goodsell, said today.
“Community concern about unconventional gas production is real and needs to be addressed. Independent reviews in NSW and elsewhere have shown that risks to water resources are manageable with firm regulation. Instead the current Government has introduced a de facto ban through external approval processes, and the alternative government wants to make the ban explicit. This is no way to conduct energy policy, safeguard jobs, or protect the environment,” Mr Goodsell said.
