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Victoria moves to ban coal seam gas, fracking

Victoria's Government says the risks of coal seam gas and fracking outweigh the benefits.

Victoria's Government says the risks of coal seam gas and fracking outweigh the benefits. Photo: Eastern Star Gas

The Victorian Government is introducing legislation to permanently ban exploration and development of unconventional gas in the state, including coal-seam gas and fracking.

The legislation — the first of its kind in Australia — will be introduced into State Parliament later this year.

Premier Daniel Andrew said the ban would protect the reputation of Victoria’s agriculture sector and alleviate farmers’ concerns about environmental and health risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.

“Victorians have made it clear that they don’t support fracking and that the health and environmental risks involved outweigh any potential benefits,” he said.

The legislation will also extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas until 2020, but offshore gas exploration and development will continue.

The Government said the decision, which responds to a parliamentary inquiry, acknowledged the risks involved outweighed any potential benefits.

The inquiry last year failed to reach a consensus on whether to implement a temporary or permanent ban on the sector, instead recommending further studies be undertaken, including a review into the potential human health impacts.

Union slams move to extend moratorium on conventional gas

The Australian Workers’ Union welcomed the announced fracking ban, but said extending the moratorium on conventional gas for four years would threaten jobs and investment.

“If new exploration and extraction is not allowed, there will be an exodus of investment and jobs from Victoria,” AWU Victorian secretary Ben Davis said.

The Greens said it was disappointed the Government had left the door open for conventional gas drilling after the next state election.

“We won’t stop fighting until all onshore gas drilling is banned,” spokeswoman Ellen Sandell said.

“Today’s announcement is a big step in that direction, but we won’t relax until farmers and regional communities know they are protected from all onshore gas mining.”

Unconventional gas, such as coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas, is found in complex geological systems and is difficult to extract.

Conventional gas is found in sandstone reservoirs and can be easily extracted with traditional well-drilling techniques.

A moratorium on fracking has been in place in Victoria since 2012.

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