UPDATED 4pm: AS NEW laws are proposed in NSW Parliament today to increase penalties and Police powers over coal seam gas protesters, Santos reports a fresh spate of damage at its Narrabri coal seam gas (CSG) project in the Pilliga forest.
According to Santos, more than $75,000 worth of equipment was damaged or stolen from its fenced-off sites - including solar panels, batteries, solar regulators and security cameras.
Santos has reported the incident to the Police.
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) said the apparent vandalism of CSG equipment highlighted the need for the new laws proposed by NSW Resources Minister Anthony Roberts.
Tampering with CSG sites puts safety at risk and could damage to the surrounding environment, APPEA said.
“Protesters have nothing to fear from proposed new penalties if they abide by the law,” APPEA chief executive Malcolm Roberts said.
“Illegal acts that place health, safety and the environment at risk are deplorable. We respect the rights of people to peacefully protest, but there is no justification for trespassing, vandalising equipment and harassing people for doing their jobs.”
Critics of Santos’ Narrabri project The Wilderness Society accused APPEA of politicising a Police investigation.
“It is deeply concerning if Santos property has been damaged in north-west NSW. Police need to investigate and should be allowed to pursue their work without interference from the mining lobby,” ,” Wilderness Society Newcastle campaign manager Naomi Hodgson said.
Ms Hodgson said APPEA had used last night’s incident to “increase pressure on the government to suppress protest activity”.
“It’s intriguing to note that the damage was reported just a day after the NSW Baird Government announced proposals that drastically reduce penalties for illegal mining activity while increasing penalties for protesters trying to protect our land, air and water,” she said.
The Wilderness Society said it does not support damage to private property.
