An environmental campaigner says he hopes the Federal Government knocks back two liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Queensland in the same way it rejected the Traveston Crossing dam proposal.
If the two projects are approved, the plants would be the first of their kind in Australia.
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke will today announce whether the multi-billion dollar Santos and BG Group projects have been given final approval.
Both would source coal seam gas in the Surat Basin and pipe it to Gladstone in central Queensland for processing and export.
The Federal Government’s decision on the LNG plants has been postponed twice.
‘Gold rush mentality’
Friends of the Earth spokesman Drew Hutton says the environmental cost is too great and Mr Burke should say no.
“Ensuring that the gold rush mentality that’s pervaded the State Government is blunted,” he said.
Mr Hutton says the Government has assessed the projects under the same environmental legislation that rejected the dam plan.
“The Traveston decision was one example where the Federal Government did act responsibly,” he said.
“It did take on board all of the considerations and it made a decision that really got the State Government - which was acting irresponsibly - out of hot water.
“I hope they do the same again.”
Farm lobby group AgForce wants a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration.
National export opportunity
Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser says the industry could ultimately be worth $20 billion.
“This is a whole new export opportunity, not only for our state, but for the nation,” he said.
“I’m entirely confident that this is a process which has been informed by good science and good cooperation.
“Obviously the federal Minister [Mr Burke] needs to take the opportunity to satisfy himself.
“He’s only new into the job and I’m quite relaxed about the time he’s taking.”
