PREMIER Kristina Keneally has used a visit to Cessnock today to announce her government would, if re-elected, move to implement ‘‘exclusion zones’’ to protect industries such as horse breeding and vineyards from mining and coal seam gas extraction.
Unveiling a 10-point plan to deal with coalmining and coal seam gas she said was shaped by recent consultation in communities including the Hunter, Ms Keneally pledged to appoint a ‘‘Coal and Gas Ombudsman’’ to investigate and respond to complaints.
The government would also conduct an audit of gas wells and drill sites across NSW to determine how operators had complied with conditions of approval for their exploration licences and wells.
Three extra regional planning compliance officers would be appointed.
Today’s policy announcement, at a vineyard at Millfield, comes after years of campaigning by the Hunter’s thoroughbred and wine industries, farmers and residents groups and widespread concern about coal seam gas activities.
About 500 residents turned out to a recent forum at Singleton on the government’s coal and coal seam gas strategy.
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