FLAMES were not the only thing flaring over the Haselgrove-3 gas exploration site south of Penola this week, with concerns also rising about the project among environmental activists as developers mark another milestone.
Beach Energy South East regional manager Glenn Toogood said the site was undergoing its testing phase, which involved the flaring of gas, witnessed by passers by above the well infrastructure.
Limestone Coast Protection Alliance member Merilyn Paxton said she had great concerns about the gas flaring due to air pollution and said it was only the beginning of what was to come.
“These are things we have been anticipating, pollution in our precious ground water and now air pollution with the gas releasing toxic carbon emissions,” Ms Paxton claimed.
Ms Paxton directed her frustration at the government and what she described as a lack of priority for the reduction of carbon emissions.
“It is frustrating, the government says they want to lower carbon emissions, but provide Beach Energy with a permit – allowing this to occur,” Ms Paxton said.
“They are only adding to the dilemma.”
In response to the flaring of gas, Mr Toogood said the activities were strictly controlled in accordance with permit conditions prescribed under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005, including no flaring on days of total fire bans.
“Beach Energy takes the safety of its operations and surrounding community very seriously, with flaring activities being carefully planned to minimise any risk to people or the environment,” Mr Toogood said.
He said the activity was part of a sporadic testing phase and it was too early to comment on results.
“Furthermore any reporting of results for Haselgrove-3 will be done in accordance with the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) continuous disclosure requirements,” Mr Toogood said.
