The five North Coast Nationals have applauded NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant’s declaration to stop all CSG activity on the North Coast.
Mr Grant said on Friday morning before the NSW Nationals state conference that the seven current Northern Rivers mining licences should be reduced to zero through the Coalition’s buyback scheme.
“I support the view of regional communities and it has been made very clear that the Northern Rivers community does not want CSG,” Mr Grant said.
The policy was endorsed by the conference after a similar motion was not put to the vote because it reflected existing NSW National Party policy.
Mr Hogan welcomed the decision to buyback all of the CSG licenses on the North Coast.
“There is recognition at all levels of government that this industry is inappropriate for the Northern Rivers,” he said.
Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the expanded buyback policy was a clear indication that the voice of the community was being heard.
“During the recent state election the CSG industry was one of the topics that was raised with me time and time again, people just don’t want it in our region.” Mr Gulaptis said.
New South Wales MLC Ben Franklin, who lives on the North Coast, said this policy re-enforces the NSW Government’s gas plan of buying back CSG licences.
“What we don’t want to see is the government racing in and paying huge amounts of compensation to CSG mining companies, we need to ensure that once this industry is halted on the coast it is halted for good.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said: “The communities of the North Coast do not want CSG. We have already got rid of 16 CSG licences, and with this policy, soon there will be none.”
Lismore MP Thomas George also welcomed Mr Troy’s announcement to buyback all CSG licenses on the North Coast.
“During the election we promised to buy back gas licences across the Northern Rivers, and that’s exactly what we are now doing,” he said.
