WINGECARRIBEE Council claims it has been left in the dark and opponents to coal developments in the Highlands have called on the Coalition to stop plans by Planet Gas to start exploratory coal seam gas drilling.
Deputy Mayor Larry Whipper said council only received a "courtesy letter" on Friday, despite the letter been dated March 9, that MBA petroleum consultants, acting for Leichhardt Resources and Planet Gas, had been given the green light by the Government to start drilling on Wombeyan Caves Road at High Range.
Southern Highlands Coal Action Group convenor, Peter Martin, was demanding the next Mining Minster, Duncan Gay, stop the drilling when the Coalition wins government.
"We are calling on Mr Gay to confirm he intends to stop this dead in its tracks. No exploration should be undertaken until a full review is undertaken under the Coalition's land use policy," he said.
"This is outrageous and shows the total disregard for the proper processes that the Keneally Government and its departments claim they will put into place to ensure that uncontrolled exploitation of coal seam gas doesn't occur.
"This was the subject of the recent 10-point plan for the industries announced by the Premier recently, but its clear that this plan was just a cynical attempt to wedge the Coalition before the election.
"It appears that these government departments are running out of control under the direction of a totally discredited regime and the gas companies are taking full advantage of it at the cost of the environment and the community."
Goulburn MP Pru Goward, who has championed the Coalition's land use policy as the bulwark to stop mining in the area, said the decision had been "hurried" through under Part 3A of the Planning Act before Labor got booted from office on Saturday.
Cr Whipper drove a motion last November condemning all forms of coal developments in the Highlands and said this approval was typical of the industry.
"This is just the type of approach we have come to expect from companies like this that are intent on getting their own way in spite of any community or Local Government concerns," he said.
"The council has made it glaringly obvious, we are totally opposed to any mining. This is a non-negotiable stand."
Cr Whipper said council knows nothing of the conditions of the approval.
"We do not know what category of approval it is, or if this can move to production without the need for further approval or if fraccing or toxic chemicals will be used," he said.
"There are so many unanswered questions and no transparency to the process at all," he said.
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