METGASCO has agreed to postpone its judicial review hearing against the government amid hopes the government might perform a backflip over the suspension of its licence to drill at Bentley, near Lismore.
The matter, first set down for June 13, will now be heard on June 27.
In a statement issued to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) today, Metgasco says the agreement to adjourn the first court hearing was made after the NSW government committed to use its "best endeavours" to make a decision on whether to maintain the suspension of Rosella drilling approval by June 25.
The documentation used by the NSW government to make its suspension decision are also expected to be made available by June 20.
NSW Resources and Energy Minister Anthony Roberts said he won’t comment on a matter which is before the court.
Metgasco also repeated its claim that Mr Roberts acted unlawfully and denied procedural fairness in suspending its exploratory drilling licence at the Rosella well.
Compensation may be sought over the drilling suspension, pending the outcome of the hearing, Metgasco said.
Metgasco maintains it acted in compliance with regulations and should not have had its licence suspended.
Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner told the NSW National Party annual conference last Friday he spoke with Premier Mike Baird, telling him he was concerned about the "bullying and harassment" protesters engaged in at Bentley.
"We were prepared to go head to head with the protesters to preserve Metgasco's rights," Mr Stoner told the state conference.
He said among the protesters existed a core of "extreme anarchists" who had outstanding warrants against them from other states.
"It breaks my heart that it (the decision to suspend Metgasco's licence) was seen by some as the professional bludgers having a win," Mr Stoner said.
Mr Roberts said previously that Metgasco’s licence was suspended due to concerns that the company had not adequately consulted with the community.
The Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) advised him the community had expressed fundamental concerns about the way in which Metgasco had characterised its activities, Mr Roberts said.
“On 13 May, 2014, the director of OCSG and the NSW Land and Water Commissioner held a meeting with local landholders, at which matters of consultation between the community and Metgasco were raised.”
Mr Roberts also referred Metgasco to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, which declined to pursue investigations into the company's shareholders.
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
