METGASCO'S suspension of drilling will remain in place until the Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) is satisfied it has adequately consulted with the community.
"The decision to suspend the operations of Metgasco under the Activity Approval remains in place until the OCSG is satisfied that the company has met the conditions of its title and the conditions of the Activity Approval," Resources minister Anthony Roberts said.
A review of the suspension of Metgasco's licence was undertaken by OCSG, following the licence suspension announced by resources Mr Roberts on May 15.
OCSG director Rachell Connell said no works were to be undertaken under Metgasco’s approval until Metgasco could demonstrate “to the OCSG's satisfaction” that it had complied with conditions requiring adequate community consultation.
Metgasco told the Australian Securities Exchange it believed the suspension of its licence was unlawful, unjustified and rejected the government’s claim it had not consulted adequately with the community.
Metgasco said it might continue with its legal action after reviewing the government’s decision.
Metgasco agreed to suspend the date of a judicial review of its licence suspension until June 27, pending the outcome of the review.
“The government should not allow itself to be intimidated by activists making spurious and ill-informed claims about drilling for natural gas when the state is running out of gas and regional areas are crying out for investment,” said Metgasco’s managing director Peter Henderson.
Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham welcomed the decision.
"Any other decision would have been a huge breach of faith with the Northern Rivers community which has acted in good faith by removing the blockade and the camp,” he said.
“Metgasco has patently failed to earn a social licence and they are now relying on the cops and the courts to be able to drill for gas in a community that has rejected them."
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
