CHEMICAL DISCOVERY IN UNDERGROUND WATER ALARMING FOR QLD FARMERS

The revelation that experimental underground gas extraction activities may have discharged dangerous chemicals into underground water sources has affirmed the distress that Queensland farmers have expressed over the rapid expansion of this sector.
QFF CEO Dan Galligan said the Department of Environment and Resource Management has today ordered Cougar Energy to close its underground coal gasification plant near Kingaroy, after test bores detected benzene and toluene in the groundwater.
“Farmers have been very vocal in expressing that the underground water supply must be protected at all costs when underground gas is being extracted,” Mr Galligan said. “The aquifer is a vital economic and environmental resource – and all sectors of the community deserve assurance that it is not being polluted.
“The checks and balances must be in place. The resource is simply too valuable to put at risk with experiments.”
Mr Galligan said QFF congratulated the Department on taking action in ordering Cougar Energy to keep its plant closed.
“These chemicals are potentially toxic for humans and stock,” he said.
“The fact that test bores have revealed benzene and toluene would alarm farmers in the region. The farmers rely on a clean environment and water supply to allow them to get on with the job of producing clean and sustainable food for the rest of the country.
“The region around Kingaroy, along with large areas of the Darling Downs, is at the forefront of the underground methane gas industries.
“These farming regions must be protected. That means ensuring that the underground aquifers and the soils are protected from toxic chemicals and the environmental concerns are considered.”
He said that QFF would look to the Department to conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure there was not irreparable damage caused to the aquifer.
“The company has requirements here to mitigate any damage.”