A LIMESTONE Coast environmental campaigner has called on political parties ahead of the state election to pledge a blanket ban on unconventional gas mining in the South East.
Kalangadoo farmer David Smith has urged both the Labor Party and Nick Xenophon’s SA-Best team to join the Liberals in promising a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
His election call comes ahead of the world premiere in Mount Gambier of a regionally produced documentary on the gas industry, which exposes the environmental aftermath of gas mining in Queensland and America.
Mr Smith – who has bankrolled Pipe Dreams Fractured Lives – said the community must not be complacent about the possible emergence of fracking.
He said neither the gas exploration sector nor the State Labor Party had ruled out opening the gate to fracking in the Limestone Coast.
“We desperately need politicians to be statesman, not just $2 politicians who are in there for their own welfare,” Mr Smith told The Border Watch yesterday.
“All politicians need to make it very clear where they stand on the issue, regardless whether they are Labor, Nick Xenophon or independents,” Mr Smith said.
“Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis basically invited the industry over to South Australia the day Victoria banned it.”
He warned the Labor Party – which had unlocked sweeping new areas for potential gas exploration in the Limestone Coast – must listen to the sentiment of the regional community.
Mr Smith – whose film premiers at the Oatmill Cinema on Wednesday, February 7 – said he hoped to take the documentary on a roadshow.
“We are hoping to get the documentary up to Adelaide to influence voters – I will take it anywhere so we can get the message out,” he said.
“I want voters in Adelaide to know if fracking came into the region it could affect the region’s groundwater, which could damage the production of dairy, wine, lamb, beef and vegetables.”
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association SA director Matthew Doman yesterday described Mr Smith’s election push as just another publicity stunt from the anti-gas industry sector.
“Fracking has been undertaken in South Australia for 50 years without incident,” Mr Doman said.
He said no energy companies were planning any unconventional gas mining projects in the region.
Independent Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell – who was instrumental in cementing the Liberal fracking moratorium policy – said he would not support any party that did not uphold the 10-year ban.
“It took me two years to get the 10-year ban through the Liberal Party party room,” the now independent former Liberal MP said.
The incumbent also pushed for the parliamentary inquiry into fracking and had taken two trips to America to tour the gas industry.
Liberal candidate Craig Marsh reiterated yesterday his party stood firm on its 10-year fracking moratorium commitment.
He said the region’s water resource must be protected from any risk of hydraulic fracturing.
“This must never be put at risk,” Mr Marsh said.
“To put our water resources at risk by fracking in any part of our region would be incredibly stupid.”
• More on creation of the documentary in tomorrow’s edition.
