By NOEL MURPHY
ANTI-fracking activists are pressuring local Liberal MPs as State Government seeks public input on possible coal seam gas projects.
Energy and Resources Minister launched an “onshore natural gas community consultation” website at Torquay’s Surf Coast Shire offices on Wednesday.
The launch marked the first stage of a “community and stakeholder engagement program” promised last year.
Frack Free Geelong campaigners have targeted state South Barwon MP Andrew Katos and federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson over the issue.
Fracking is a controversial mining process in which liquid is injected at high pressure into underground rocks to fracture fissures for gas extraction. Opponents argue the process can contaminate groundwater.
Exporter Lakes Oil conducted geological tests between Geelong and Anglesea and along the coast last year but later told the Independent it had lost interest in fracking the area.
State Government, despite a moratorium on fracking, has issued a new permit allowing two companies to explore opportunities around Portland and Casterton.
Frack Free Geelong campaigners have maintained their campaign, drafting numerous questions for Mr Katos and Ms Henderson this week at a Freshwater Creek Hall meeting.
ABC radio’s Jon Faine will host a fracking forum next month at Winchelsea.
Lock the Gate Victoria, an alliance of communities concerned about the gas industry, welcomed the consultation process, saying rural and farming people had serious concerns about the environmental and health effects.
Victorian coordinator Chloe Aldenhoven said they were also worried about potential adverse effects on local economies.
“After the release of the industry-stacked Gas Market Taskforce report last year, communities began to fear they were going to be ignored and the industry forced upon them,” Ms Aldenhoven said.
Friends of the Earth’s Cam Walker also welcomed the website announcement but was anxious about sites earmarked for further drilling activities before consultations were complete.
“We believe that for this consultation to be meaningful the government needs to extend the current moratorium on fracking to include all test drilling activity,” Mr Walker said.
Frack Free Geelong’s Elizabeth Packett said excessive water use and possible contamination linked to the process remained prime local concerns.
