FRACKING A 10 YEAR MORATORIUM FOR THE LIMESTONE COAST

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2 2036 WILL MARK OUR STATE S BICENTENARY By the time our State turns 200 years old, I want South Australia to be a place of prosperity. Planning and delivering on my vision for a better future starts now. This policy is just part of our plan to deliver a clear and responsible pathway to recovery and success. See where it fits in below 1.0 GROWING OUR ECONOMY 1.6 Unlocking the resources and production of our regional areas and ensuring growth opportunities for regional businesses and industries 2.0 THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM 3.0 BEING A HEALTHY STATE 4.0 STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES 5.0 BUILDING OUR STATE 5.3 Working in partnerships to grow jobs and deliver real outcomes for South Australians 6.0 ENSURING SAFETY AND JUSTICE 7.0 PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT 7.5 Protecting the River Murray and our water resources 8.0 EMBRACING OUR UNIQUE CULTURE 9.0 RUNNING AN EFFICIENT AND STABLE GOVERNMENT

3 We have listened to community concerns we are responding to them in a decisive and responsible way.

4 THE PROBLEM South Australia s Limestone Coast (also widely known as the South-East) has enormous potential to contribute more to the State s economic growth but it is facing uncertainty. The region has a great reputation, for premium food and wine. However, without continued access to a clean and reliable source of water, these industries could not survive and prosper. The region depends for its water supply on regional and local underground aquifers, and cannot continue to support jobs and exports if the groundwater becomes contaminated. For a long time, the region has also supported an active conventional gas industry which has supplied natural gas to Mt Gambier and some industrial sites from a number of wells in the Penola district. In recent years however, there have been proposals to consider the potential for unconventional gas mining, and particularly what is called hydraulic fracture stimulation (widely known as fracking ) to produce gas. Without continued access to a clean and reliable source of water, these industries could not survive and prosper. In response to these concerns, the State Liberals supported an inquiry which, after taking evidence for two years, produced the unanimous conclusion that the industry has failed to secure community support and until it does, should not be allowed to operate in the Limestone Coast region. This followed overwhelming evidence to the inquiry that the industry needs to do much more to explain itself and its activities. The Department of State Development s submission to the inquiry stated that only if community concerns have been adequately addressed will the government consider applications for gas fracking activities in the South East. In other parts of Australia already, there are limitations and prohibitions on fracking for a number of reasons including its potential to contaminate groundwater.

5 THE STATE LIBERALS PLAN A State Liberal Government will protect these resources to ensure jobs and industries can continue to grow. If elected in 2018, a Marshall Liberal Government will impose a 10-year moratorium on any exploration for or development of unconventional gas in the Limestone Coast area, defined as comprising the following Local Government Areas: City of Mount Gambier District Council of Grant Kingston District Council District Council of Robe Naracoorte Lucindale Council Tatiara District Council Wattle Range Council This moratorium will recognise the area s unique qualities as a primary producer and tourist destination and the need to maintain and enhance its economic importance and reputation. A State Liberal Government will continue to support exploration for and development of unconventional gas resources in the Cooper and Eromanga Basins in the State s Far North where the potential is higher and the impacts on other existing activities and the environment are minimal. During the moratorium, a Liberal Government will act to ensure: The regulatory regime for unconventional gas exploration and production adequately addresses community concerns to prevent any adverse environmental or other impacts No exploration and production will take place until these actions have been taken, and not until after the moratorium has expired. In this way we will: Avoid contamination and depletion of groundwater resources Preserve the brand reputation of the Limestone Coast for its primary produce and tourism Ensure public confidence in the regulatory regime for unconventional gas With the dependence of many local businesses on regional and local groundwater resources, they should not be exposed to uncertainty about the quality of their water supply from an industry that is not yet established in the area and may not be viable in the South East. If unconventional gas producers want to come into the South East, they need to prove first that they can explore and produce without any adverse impacts to existing industries. The Limestone Coast depends on the ongoing quality of its groundwater resources. A State Liberal Government will protect these resources to ensure jobs and industries can continue to grow. Any proponent of unconventional gas exploration or production takes effective action to engage with regional and local stakeholders to seek a social licence

6 We will protect the water resources of the Limestone Coast to support jobs and sustainable regional development Steven Marshall, State Liberal Leader

7 If you would like to provide feedback on our policy or learn more about our plan, please get in touch via: The Office of Steven Marshall MP Parliament House - North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Phone: steven@stevenmarshall.com.au Web:

8 marshall2036.com.au