Metgasco's claims regarding its CSG wastewater disputed

A Clarence Valley Protest July 26, 2012:

Metgasco CSG waste water contaminated with salt and heavy metals
Coal Seam Gas News 26 July 2012

Lock the Gate Northern Rivers has today revealed that a sample of wastewater from a Metgasco coal seam gas wastewater storage pond has been found to contain high levels of a range of heavy metals toxic to humans and wildlife. The sample was analysed at the NATA accredited EAL laboratory in Lismore (sample results and comparison with Drinking Water and ANZECC Environmental Guidelines attached).

This finding follows on from repeated claims by Metgasco that their CSG produced water is just ‘salty’ and the release of company data last week suggesting that, apart from the salt levels, the water meets drinking water standards.

‘These pond sample results confirm that there are indeed a range of toxic substances in addition to salts in the wastewater produced in Metgasco’s coal seam gas operations and stored in ponds around Casino,’ said Boudicca Cerese, spokesperson for Lock the Gate Northern Rivers.

‘The tests found 13 elements present in the sample at levels above the Drinking Water Standards, the majority of them heavy metals. Ten of these substances were also above the allowable limits for maintenance of healthy freshwater ecosystems.’

‘Many of these substances are well known for their toxicity and their release into local waterways via the sewage treatment plant or onto agricultural lands poses a serious threat to humans, domestic stock and wildlife.’

‘Aluminium, a neurotoxic linked with the onset of dementia and Alzheimers, was detected at 440 times drinking water standards and 800 times the allowable environmental limits. At elevated concentrations aluminium can be lethal to fish and other aquatic organisms and the animals that consume them,’ said Ms. Cerese.

‘Lead, a cumulative poison that can severely affect the central nervous system, was measured at 7 times drinking water standards and 20 times the safe environmental limit. Lead is renowned for its effects on children’s development and has been shown to cause cancer in animals.’

‘The sampling found levels of hexavalent chromium 50 times the guideline level required to protect waterways. Hexavalent chromium is known to cause lung cancer in humans and also adversely affects aquatic and marine life,’ she said.

‘The sample results clearly show that the community cannot rely on the water quality results provided by Metgasco and that there is an urgent need for state government authorities to undertake rigorous independent testing of all Metgasco’s ponds prior to any further actions regarding treatment and disposal of this wastewater,’ said Ms. Cerese.

‘In addition, these results sound a warning bell for the future, as the treatment and disposal of the vast quantities of water extracted in future CSG production will mean the accumulation of thousands of tonnes of chemical laden salts, potentially severely impacting ground and surface water quality, and putting at risk public, livestock and wildlife health.

‘Plans to use this water in agriculture or to reinject produced water back into the ground are a dangerous notion, one which will backfire on future generations,’ she said

Absolutely brilliant introduction to the delights of Regional New South Wales

And the North Coast has the lot!


http://youtu.be/UjW-CGJG8kE

Australia's answer to the Haka

Indigenous All Stars vs NRL All Stars 2011.

You must watch this – if only for the stunned look on the faces of the opposing team!

http://youtu.be/0Y59JIObk_U

Are Clarence Valley ratepayers expected to pay for rehabilitating the reputation of the Nationals MP for Clarence?

A little history courtesy of Clarence Valley Council ordinary monthly meeting minutes of 20 May 2008:

Council has supported a Clarence Valley presence at Country Week NSW in 2005 (organised by the former Clarence Valley Business Enterprise Centre), and 2006 & 2007 (organised by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce & Industry). Council’s support has comprised a financial contribution of $2,000 each year, collateral, advertising in a locally produced feature (produced by the Clarence Valley Review) and Sydney based event marketing managed by Pallamedia. In 2007 Council extended its support to include a senior staff member who attended all days of the event. It is estimated that this total package is valued at $8,000.

In 2008 Council voted not to attend Country Week (now rebadged as The Country & Regional Living Expo) given significant budget constraints, difficulties associated with measuring return on investment from the activity and the complexity of the Sydney relocation market and decided not to financially support Clarence Valley groups who decided to attend.

It is my understanding that Cr. Richie Williamson attended this meeting and voted to abandon Council support of Country Week – agreeing that Clarence Valley’s community of interest is not with Sydney.

I have yet to hear that since becoming mayor he has changed his mind on this subject. Indeed it would appear to be his long-held view.

Such a view is supported by the fact that the Clarence Valley annual population growth rate over eleven years between 2001-2011 was only 0.5% - and although there was migration into the valley from Sydney it appears to have lost more residents permanently relocating into Queensland.

So one has to wonder if his attendance at the 2012 Expo is not simply an effort to help rehabilitate the battered reputation of fellow National Party member, Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, who was reported in The Daily Examiner  on 31 July 2012:

The NSW Government agreed to provide $8000 to assist with costs associated with having a site at the expo.

"Both Richie and I sought support from the Government given the recent job losses in the area, and we are pleased they have listened and provided assistance," Mr Gulaptis said. "This is an opportune time to promote the Clarence Valley where we have a captive market."

Especially as one of the official state-wide exhibitors just happens to be the NSW National Party – the only political party with a site presence.

Apart from being listed as an exhibitor on the second to last page of the Expo’s promotional magazine, so far the Valley’s ‘promotion’ mostly comprises a sad list of business up for sale from the Clarence Coast up to Grafton City. With very few jobs on offer – some of which include Roads & Maritime Services contract positions which will disappear within two years.

Now mayoral travel to and from Sydney, accommodation and meals over two days will definitely cost over and above the $8,000 in government funding mentioned. Such funding is only part of the estimated $9,077 fee for Clarence Valley’s two adjoining 3x3m floor space sites which will be competing for attention with around sixty other groups at the Expo being held at Rosehill Racecourse.

So who is paying the mayor’s costs? I  imagine that ratepayers will be less than amused if Richie tries to bill Council after the event.

And who are the council representatives (plural) which The Daily Examiner editor writes about on 2 August? Are ratepayers expected to financially support multiple weekend trips south?

There is nothing wrong with promoting the Clarence Valley, especially in the face of O'Farrell Government regional cost-cutting. A well-planned strategy can potentially perform above expectations.

However, one cannot escape the feeling that this particular manifestation has not been thought through by local government. Clarence Valley Council should have been planning its expo participation a year out from the event and it obviously didn't do so.

NSW local government elections: there's to be no party politics, unless ...

A correspondent writing in The Coffs Advocate (Wednesday, 1 August) has caught the local member Andrew Fraser with his pants down.

It seems Fraser doesn't want candidates in the September council elections to have any political affiliatiions. If that's to be the case, Fraser should have added a retrospective factor to his comments and called for a number of his parliamentary coalition mates to be shown the door. Chris Gulaptis, the local member for Clarence who is still on trainer wheels would have to go. Hey, that idea has some merit! Plus, Steve Cansdell would never have got a guernsey in the chamber. Oh, by the way, what's happening on the Scansdellsgate scene? Have federal authorities finally got their act together? Are they going to throw the book at Cansdell? Or, has that matter vapourised into thin air?

Here's John Vernon's letter in yesterday's Advocate.

Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser said people interested in running for local government should not have political affiliations - "Coffs MP wants 'independent' future councillors" - ABC posted July 6, 2012.

How many current National Party MPs started their career in politics as an "independent" councillor? Chris Gulaptis, Stephen Bromhead, John Barilaro and Paul Toole come to mind as "independent councillors" who have graduated to being a National Party MP. There are many more examples from past governments and many councillors who are National and Liberal party members although they have campaigned as "independent" councillors.

Why would Andrew Fraser make these comments? Is he concerned the Greens believe in honest and transparent government and are calling for all prospective councillors to pledge to abstain from voting when they have a conflict of interest, pecuniary or otherwise? The O'Farrell government has of course changed the law so abstention from a vote when a councillor has a personal interest is no longer required.

Is it because the O'Farrell government is pushing through new planning laws that will severely restrict the right of residents to oppose inappropriate planning developments? Indeed the deadline for submissions on these proposals will be an astonishing, restrictive six days after the local government elections. The same date is also the restrictive deadline for submissions on the future of local government. That review opens the door to further local government amalgamations.

Greens' councillors will work to maintain council's powers and protect residents' rights in regard to planning. It is therefore no surprise a National Party MP is stating that "people interested in standing for local government should not have political affiliations".

JOHN VERNON