South Australian Parliament passes Fracking Moratorium

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The South Australian Upper House has passed the 10 year fracking moratorium in the South East of South Australia into law!

The fracking moratorium comes after a lengthy and sustained grassroots campaign from communities in the South East.

Photo above: Nick McBride – Liberal MP MacKillop, Dennis Vice – LCPA, Mark Parnell – Greens MLC Legislative Council, Troy Bell – Independent MP Mount Gambier

Angus Ralton chairperson of the Limestone Coast Protection Alliance said “This is a well deserved outcome for the community that has fought so hard.

Thanks must go to our local independent MP, Troy Bell for moving this Bill and to Nick McBride for getting the Libs on board.

We’d also like to thank Mark Parnell and fellow Greens in the Upper House as well as SA Best whose support was crucial in getting this Bill through.

Also sincere thanks must go to the heads of the primary agricultural bodies and local health professionals for their public support in the lead up to tabling the Bill.

While the community is very happy with this result, gasfields are still a threat to our region and the fight continues.

Conventional gas is being actively pursued in the South East and we are very concerned that conventional gas exploration will be used as a trojan horse to bring back fracking when the moratorium expires in 10 years time.”

meeting photo

Parliamentary Petition

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Petitioning parliament to make SE fracking ban law

We need your help now!

In the lead up to the last election the SA Liberal Government promised a 10 year ban on fracking in the SE of SA, but now they are elected they are dithering on putting the commitment into law. Read the background section below for more details.

meeting photo

LCPA members meeting Troy Bell to discuss fracking legislation

Independent MP for the seat of Mt Gambier Troy Bell has introduced the Legislation the Liberals should have into the lower house, and Greens MLC Mark Parnell has introduced the same legislation to the upper house.

We will be backing this push for legislation in a range of ways and we need your help – the first thing you can do is demonstrate support by signing and getting signatures on the formal parliamentary petition.

How to help

This is a formal parliamentary petition and there are strict rules about how they are filled out. All petitions must be original copies, not scanned, faxed, emailed or signed online and only signed once per person. They need to be returned in person or by mail to the address at the bottom of the petition.

  • You can download the petition here, print it out, and get started! Your first goal – get 3 sheets signed and returned. Download the petition: 10 Year Moratorium on fracking 2018 petition
  • Then take the next step – become a petition coordinator! Aim to get 6 people to do the same and get 3 sheets filled out. Use this handy Petition Record Sheet to keep track.
  • Download a printable Background and Instructions for getting signatures on the Petition for your reference and to share.
  • 1st Deadline: 30th July 2018 (please send all filled out petition sheets in by this date) 2nd and final deadline: 28th September.
  • Need help? Advice? Want us to post you printed out petitions? Please let us know how we can help get you started contact us for more info.
  • Stay informed by signing up to receive our newsletter using the form on the front page of the website or contact page. The planet and the people of the Limestone Coast thank you.

Background to the petition

The Limestone Coast region in the SE of SA is prime agricultural land, home to the Coonawarra wine region, a crucial food bowl and a thriving tourism industry. But gas mining threatens the life blood of the region – the groundwater, as well as our clean, green image and the health of our community.

The Government must put its commitment to a moratorium on fracking in the SE into law.

If you have been following the campaign you already know that after years of community organisation and action we secured from the Liberals in SA a pre election promise for a 10 year moratorium on fracking. Fracking is the highest risk form of gas mining and a 10 year ban is a huge step forward toward our goal of protecting our land, families, industries and community.

However the moratorium is currently only a verbal commitment and does not protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years.

Legislation for the moratorium is required to provide the certainty that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need to invest in the future.

We need you to get hands on and help now! – it’s easy and anyone can do it, thank you for your help to keep our community safe from fracking.

 

Letter to Legislate the moratorium

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Take action to make the fracking moratorium law!

The newly elected Liberal Government lead by Premier Stephen Marshall was elected on a promise to ban fracking in the South East for 10 years. However a verbal promise is not enough. We have seen recently in the NT a Government elected on a promise to ban fracking reverse their decision after a so-called “independent inquiry”. We can’t afford to let a change of policy or Government in SA undermine this commitment. The moratorium must become law.

Farmers, winemakers, tourism businesses and the community of the Limestone Coast need your support to provide certainty for the future. Please take a moment to send a letter to the Government calling on them to move immediately to enshrine the moratorium in law.

Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mount Gambier, has foreshadowed a private members bill to be tabled on July 4th, when he will move to legislate the 10-year moratorium. We need to  ask the State government to support this legislation, or move quickly themselves to legislate the moratorium.

To help you to write your own personal letter we have provided you here with some tips and the names and addresses of the relevant politicians.  If you find it difficult to write a letter we have prepared two ‘pro-forma’ letters for you: one to the State Liberal politicians, and one to other members asking them for support to legislate the moratorium.  If you don’t live in the Mount Gambier or MacKillop electorates we have provided a link for you to get the address of your own electoral representative.

If you cant find the time to write yourself please visit this link to click and send a message.

Tips for writing letters to politicians

Politicians and Governments are there to represent you. A personalised letter is one effective way to let your views be known. Personal letters carry more weight, but if you are unable to write your own letter you can use our ‘pro-forma’ letters below.

  • Use full title of politicians
  • Write individual letters to each politician (see addresses below)
  • Use a heading in your letter – i.e. “Re: Legislate the South East 10-year moratorium”
  • Stay positive and polite but be firm about the changes you want.
  • Keep it short and to the point – no more than one page, and use your own words.
  • Send by mail or email (or both for emphasis)
  • Congratulate pollies on winning government, their cabinet position, and the fact that they are verbally supporting their election promise of a 10-year-moratorium on fracking.
  • However, you consider that the verbal commitment does not provide the certainly that that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need, nor does it protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years, so it is urgent that the moratorium be legislated as soon as possible.
  • Troy Bell has foreshadowed that he will move to legislate the 10-year moratorium and you would like the State government to support this legislation, or move quickly to legislate the moratorium with their own legislation.
  • There is widespread opposition to fracking across South Australia (and nationally and internationally if you like). No social licence.
  • There is a global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources
  • If you like elaborate: The current NT Territory government made a verbal promise before the election, brought in an inquiry, and now has decided to allow fracking.
  • At the NT Labor annual conference this month Labor party members voted overwhelmingly to ban fracking.
  • Add a personal note about why this is important to you.
  • Indicate you would like a response, and include your name and address (postal and/or email)

Proforma Letter to State Liberal Politicians 

(cut and paste then edit. Note simple click and send version available soon but your personalized letter will be more effective)

(Date)

(Full Name, Title and Address of politician)

Dear (Premier, Hon …)

Congratulations on winning government, your position as (premier, minister of ..) and your announcement that the State Liberal government will honour their election promise of a moratorium on fracking in the South East.

The Marshall Government’s commitment to the 10 year moratorium on fracking  recognises community opposition and the lack of social licence for fracking the South East, both locally and across the State, and the importance of the Limestone Coast in terms of food, wine, agriculture and tourism.

It also recognises the global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.

However the moratorium is currently only a verbal commitment and does not protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years.

Legislation for the moratorium is required to provide the certainty that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need to invest in the future.

I note that Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier, is soon to table legislation regarding the 10-year moratorium.

I am asking you to support Troy Bell’s legislation of the 10 year moratorium, or alternatively honour your election commitment and move quickly to enshrine the promised 10 year South East fracking moratorium in legislation.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours Sincerely,

(Your name and contact details.)

 

Suggested State Liberal Politicians to be contacted, and their contact details:

The Hon Steven Marshall, Premier

dunstan@parliament.sa.gov.au

Unit 2 90-94 The Parade, Norwood SA 5067

08 8363 9111

The Hon Rob Lucas, Treasurer

rob.lucas@parliament.sa.gov.au

Parliament House, Adelaide SA 5000

08 8237 9100

The Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining

stuart.portaugusta@parliament.sa.gov.au

Shop 2, 5 Young Street, Port Augusta SA 5700

08 8642 3633             08 8566 2099

The Hon Tim Whetstone, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development

chaffey@parliament.sa.gov.au

PO Box 959, Berri SA 5343

08 8582 4230

The Hon David Speirs, Minister for Environment and Water

black@parliament.sa.gov.au

PO Box 121, Brighton SA 5048

08 8296 9833

Mr Nick McBride, Liberal Member for MacKillop

nick.mcbride@sa.liberal.org.au

30 Ormerod Street, Naracoorte 5271

0488 965 71

 

Proforma Letter to Other Politicians

 

(Date)

(Full Name, Title and Address of politician)

Dear (Hon, Mr )

The Marshall Government’s commitment to a 10 year moratorium on fracking in the South East recognises community opposition and the lack of social licence for fracking the South East, both locally and across the State, and the importance of the Limestone Coast in terms of food, wine, agriculture and tourism.

It also recognises the global shift away from dangerous and polluting fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources.

However the moratorium is currently only a verbal commitment and does not protect the South East from any potential change of government or government policy over the next 10 years.

Legislation for the moratorium is required to provide the certainty that farmers, winemakers, tourism operators, small business and the community need to invest in the future.

I note that Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier, is soon to table legislation regarding the 10-year moratorium.

I am asking you to support Troy Bell’s legislation of the 10 year moratorium, or alternatively to ask the Marshall Government to honour its election commitment and move quickly to enshrine the promised 10 year South East fracking moratorium in legislation.

I look forward to your reply.

 

Yours Sincerely,

(Your name and contact details.)

Other relevant politicians

Mr Troy Bell, Independent Member for Mt Gambier

mtgambier@parliament.sa.gov.au

24a Bay Road, Mount Gambier SA 5290

08 8724 9944

Mr Tony Pasin, Federal Member for Barker

Tony.Pasin.MP@aph.gov.au

27 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier SA 5290

08 8723 2230            02 6277 4864

 

Or your own electoral representative

Click on this link to take you to the SA Government Parliamentary website to obtain details of your own electoral representative.

http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Members/Pages/List%20of%20All%20Members.aspx

Gas exploration is a hot button election issue in the South East which some say is splitting once harmonious communities. Erin Jones, The Advertiser February 23, 2018 5:29pm

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THE fight to protect the South-East’s crucial aquifers and “clean, green” reputation has turned physical, following the first flaring of gas from a controversial well near Penola. Beach Energy last […]

Read more

Friday 19 May 2017 the Natural Resources Committee resolved to publish on its website the Minister’s response to the NRC’s Fracking report.

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Friday 19 May 2017 the Natural Resources Committee resolved to publish on its website the Minister’s response to the NRC’s Fracking report.

http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=5&CId=295

 

 

Today Tonight – Poisoned farms and toxic food – the bitter battle in country SA that’s now reached the city.

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Watch the video here

https://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au/stories/gas-galore

and read a story in Advertiser

Belinda Willis, The Advertiser- 

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/angry-south-east-farmers-lock-their-gates-to-gas-drilling-amid-fears-of-damage-to-underground-aquifers/news-story/27116e85f01a861c03cbe6d6d815e81b

“Our concerns really are about the long-term integrity of wells and drilling, the possible leakage between the aquifers and having a higher density of wells being built and drilled in the region,” Coonawarra Grape and Wine Incorporated president Pete Balnaves said.

The Limestone Coast Protection Alliance response to the “SA Energy Plan”

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SA’s Energy Plan

The Limestone Coast Protection Alliance commends Premier Weatherill on his plan to make SA independent of the national chaotic energy mess that has caused SA’s energy problems, and the failure of the Federal government to show any leadership in energy matters.

We are also pleased about the creation of the $150 million Renewable Technology Fund to make renewable energy available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to power the state when it is needed, with the first project to be Australia’s largest grid-connected battery storage.

We believe this fund will inspire innovation amongst entrepreneurs and keep SA at the forefront of renewable energy technology in Australia and perhaps even the world as we have renewable energy companies falling over themselves to invest in SA.

However, the plan to build a new, government-owned gas-fired power station at a cost of $350 million is a complete aberration, totally unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money. With progress made by these renewable energy initiatives we believe it will be an expensive white elephant by the time it is built. If we have grid connected battery storage in place by next December as promised it will not be necessary.

The incentives being offered to landholders to allow gas wells on their properties in the form of 10% of the royalties charged to mining companies equates to 1% of the value of the gas extracted and will not find support in the South East.

47 communities have been surveyed in our region, with 96% of respondents opposed to unconventional gas mining in the South East, and these surveys are on-going.

The government has no social licence to mine for gas in the South East and these incentives will not change anything. Landholders know the destruction caused by gasfields and for most landholders their land is their superannuation.

Water, air and health will be compromised. Landholders do not want roadworks, trucks, dust and noise on their properties, or their precious water supplies diverted for the use of mining companies. With gasfields on their properties they will be unable to easily farm and will lose approximately 10.9% of production.

There is no insurance available in Australia against personal or property damage caused by gas mining and mining companies do not carry insurance to cover landholders.

The value of properties with gasfields, or with

neighbouring gasfields, will fall as has been witnessed in Queensland and NSW, and may become unsaleable.

The short term gain of a small royalty would never compensate for the long term pain of such huge financial loss.

For further information please call Merilyn Paxton 8768 6100, Marcia Lorenz 8735 8418

Limestone Coast Protection Alliance says go Solar Thermal, not gas

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YES to Solar Thermal. NO to gas, says Limestone Coast Protection Alliance in meeting with Tom Koutsantonis

 

Key leaders from the Limestone Coast SA met with the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Tom Koutsantonis on Monday to convey their position YES to Solar Thermal, NO to gas.

Merilyn Paxton, Farmer, and Chair of the Limestone Coast Protection Alliance; Peter Bissell, Chairman of the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council; Dennis Vice, owner and winemaker at Highbank Wines; and Peter Riseley, Mayor of the District Council of Robe met with the Minister.

Merilyn Paxton said “We conveyed our support for a Concentrated Solar Thermal plant at Port Augusta. Solar Thermal can dispatch power when needed, night or day. It can provide baseload. It will provide much-needed competition, create jobs and put SA at the forefront of CleanTech industries”

“We made clear our request that we want a ban on unconventional gasfields in our region. Last year, a review of 685 research papers points to risks to water, air and health. Our region’s water, and our wine and agricultural industries are too important to imperil.

Dennis Vice said: “Our message is that gas drilling is a pipe dream, because we’re now connected to the high gas prices in East Asia. No amount of drilling here can change the price of gas in Asia. Why put the Limestone Coast at risk when we now have the option of reliable, clean Concentrated Solar Thermal plants that can be built in 20 months?”

Peter Riseley said “I am here to represent the 96% of people within our community opposed to gasfields. We are pleased that Mr Koutsantonis has accepted our invitation to visit our members in the Limestone Coast and to hear their concerns about the shale gas industry.”

For further information please contact
Merilyn Paxton on 0429 804 247 or 08 8768 6100
Dennis Vice on 0427 653 311
Peter Riseley 0429 799 528

The ” Gas Crisis ” Con

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Have you heard about the great “gas crisis” con? Why are Australian manufacturers and grannies paying through the nose and struggling to buy any gas at all, while we’re in the middle of a boom? Share this video and make sure we don’t let those pollies and gas bullies blame farmers for their absurd mistakes. #GasCrisis #GreatGasCon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXt-iYehkT4&t=4s