Farmers learn ‘gas risks’

Bellata farmers Penny and Rob Blatchford toured the site of the world’s largest mud volcano in Indonesia last week.

05 Aug, 2013 04:00 AM
JULIAN LUKE

A GROUP of farmers from the North West has toured the site of the world’s largest mud volcano outside Sidjaro in East Java, Indonesia.

The enormous volcano – which started spewing mud in May 2006 – has displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed villages and infrastructure.

The cause of the eruption has been the subject of intense scientific debate, with some claiming it was the result of gas drilling from resource company Lapindo Brantas and others claiming it was caused by a 6.5-magnitutde earthquake two days earlier.

Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham led the tour and is joined by Bellata landholders Penny and Rob Blatchford, Boggabri cotton growers John and Robyn Watson and Gunnedah soil scientist Rob Banks.

Mr Buckingham said he wanted to tour the site to see “what happens when gas drilling goes very wrong”.

“This is a man-made disaster of monumental proportions,” he said.

“While drilling setting off a mud volcano is unlikely to happen in Australia, it does provide a warning that geology and hydrology involves many unknowns and risk.
“Proponents of coal seam gas argue that they can manage all risks in all circumstances, but that is clearly not true.”

Mrs Blatchford said she wanted to visit the region to gather a better understanding of the soil type, geology and impact of an “extreme” drilling accident.

“I fear for the one-off accident that may occur on our farm, in the Gunnedah Basin or in the Pilliga,” she said.

“If this was to happen, how will we cope as the people left to deal with the impact? What would be the environmental impact?

“Back in NSW it is essential we get the legislation and regulations spot on. It is absolutely paramount that the government and the industry understand the science and geology before any exploration occurs.

“The precautionary principle is a no-brainer.”
via Gillian Blair