If the re-elected Baird government is hoping for a post-poll lull in the coal seam gas debate, it is likely to be disappointed.
On the one hand, a series of events in coming weeks is likely to keep the industry in the news. Politics are also likely to embolden the Greens – which may snatch two Nationals seats on the issue – and perhaps ensure Labor maintain its opposition to more CSG developments until more science is in.
The results of two investigations into the discovery of toxic chemicals at AGL's Waukivory pilot CSG projects by the Environment Protection Authority and the Division of Resources and Energy were not finalised before the election and may be released soon.
The delay has frustrated opponents of the AGL project who fear the company will now get approval to resume hydraulic fracturing – fracking – of four wells.
"We feel like we're being stonewalled," David Hare-Scott, vice president of Groundswell Gloucester, said. Separate complaints about waste water and political donations by AGL – all of which have gone to the Liberals and Nationals in recent years – also went unresolved before the elections, he said.
For its part, AGL is expected to reapply for a licence next month to use so-called produced water from CSG wells as part of an irrigation trial near Gloucester.
AGL, meanwhile, is conducting its own review of its upstream gas operations after the series of mishaps in Gloucester. It has to decide whether to cut the damage to its reputation or to extend its current plans for 110 wells near the town to two other prospective sites further to the south at Weismantels and Wards River.
AGL declined to comment on Sunday.
The other major gas field planned for the state's north, Santos' Narrabri gas field, is also likely to remain in the news.
The company is hoping to convince Opposition leader Luke Foley to reverse his decision made during the election to block the conversion of the field's exploration licence to a production one.
While Mr Foley won't get the chance to implement that policy, his opposition may deter bankers from extending finance to a project that has already cost Santos about $1.2 billion and has about 20 wells in operation.
"The government now has a clear mandate to proceed with the further development of a safe and sustainable coal seam gas industry in NSW," a Santos spokesman said.
"Santos will be working closely with the government, customers, investors and the Narrabri community to deliver the Narrabri Gas Project," he said. "We will also work with the ALP to develop a bi-partisan policy position on resource development."
A spokesman for Mr Foley said there has been no change of Labor's stance on CSG a day after the election. "It's business as usual for us," he said. "The policy still stands."
The Baird government, meanwhile, made much of its scheme during the campaign of buying back CSG licences and cancelling them.
That plan, which including 12 buybacks of almost 30,000 square kms of exploration areas, will run until the end of June – should the government feel inclined to purchase more.
Georgina Woods, from Lock the Gate, said the government can no longer blame Labor for issuing so many licences, many costing just $1000 each.
"The government renewed 4.5 million hectares of gas licences last term," Ms Woods said. "They clearly thought that buying back some licences would placate community rejection of this industry in the Northern Rivers, and they were wrong.
"Now they have the mandate and opportunity to get in front and be strategic and precautionary by implementing the Chief Scientist's recommendations before any more CSG is contemplated," she said.
The oil and gas industry says the two electorates with the CSG pilots – Barwon and the Upper Hunter – showed no upswing in the Greens vote.
"Despite results in Lismore and Ballina, where no major gas projects are under development, people are seeing through big scaremongering campaigns intent on closing down gas supply, businesses, investment and jobs," a spokesman for the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association said.
The Santos and AGL projects could supply as much as 65 per cent of the state's gas, the spokesman said. "As the NSW Chief Scientist has previously pointed out, technical challenges and risks posed by the industry can be safely managed."
