Farmers in Gippsland have thrown their support behind the Andrews Labor Government’s move to permanently ban hydraulic fracking and extraction of coal seam gas.
Minister for Resources Wade Noonan today visited local farms in Lindenow and Longford – an area of Gippsland world-renowned for its dairy and fresh produce.
Victoria’s agricultural sector exports about $12 billion in food and fibre products each year and employs about 190,000 people.
Community members have made it clear that they want to protect the industry and their land from the impacts of fracking and coal seam gas operations.
During a similar tour last week, farmers on the Surf Coast in south-west Victoria described the importance of the ban to maintain land to grow clean and safe food, and support sustainable agriculture.
The Labor Government’s decision to ban fracking – a gas extraction technique which involves the hydraulic fracturing of rock and coal seams – was made in response to the 2015 Parliamentary Inquiry into Onshore Unconventional Gas in Victoria.
That inquiry received more than 1600 submissions, mostly opposed to onshore unconventional gas.
In November, the Government introduced the Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 to Parliament. The legislation will outlaw gas fracking and coal seam gas extraction.
The new legislation also extends the moratorium on onshore conventional gas exploration and development to 30 June, 2020.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan
“It’s clear that local farmers in Gippsland want to keep our prime agricultural land free of fracking.”
“The community has spoken and the Government has taken action to outlaw fracking – the Bill before Parliament ensures Victoria will remain ‘frack-free’.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We promised to ban fracking and we’re getting it done – the livelihoods of thousands of Victorians and the reputation of their world-class produce depend on it.”
“Gippsland farmers are proud of their land, and it’s great to see them get behind our plan to end fracking for good.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020