Santos alarms conservationists

SANTOS' Final Investment Decision for the Gladstone liquefied natural gas (GLNG) project earmarked for Curtis Island has alarmed local conservationists.

The GLNG project involves exploration and production of coal seam gas in the Surat and Bowen Basins, a 435 km gas pipeline from the gas fields to Gladstone, and a gas liquefaction and export facility on Curtis Island.

Santos chief executive David Knox said at today's announcement Santos’ commitment to maintain the highest environmental and safety standards in developing the GLNG project, and to continue close engagement with local communities during the construction and operation of the venture.

Capricorn Conservation Council (CCC) Coordinator Michael McCabe said the conservation group is concerned about the accumulation of impacts on the marine life of Gladstone Harbour and further habitat pressures on Curtis Island from any additional LNG liquefaction and export facilities.

“Despite the raft of conditions on coal seam gas extraction, pipeline corridors, harbour dredging and the LNG plants, no-one is yet in a position to understand the potential for permanent harm to fisheries, Dugong, dolphin and turtle habitats from dredging sea grass beds and dumping spoil," Mr McCabe said.

“It is far too early to assess if the currently approved two projects have any chance to access suitable offset areas, measure impacts over seasonal cycles and longer, and ensure there is no loss of biodiversity and disruption to migratory paths, or the potential for the collapse of fisheries."

Mr McCabe said the CCC is starting to hear of the impacts on wildlife from the commencement of the first project.

“While the CCC understands that the companies are working within their approvals and have reported these losses, we are concerned that additional projects will cause too rapid an impact on the sensitive coastal ecosystems,” Mr McCabe said.

“The CCC calls for corporations and government to apply the ‘precautionary principle’ to halt this third, and possible forth LNG projects, at least until a true environmental picture can be assessed.

“The conservation sector remains unconvinced by statements that coal seam gas conversion to LNG provides a safe, clean, greenhouse gas friendly, energy source.”

Local Gladstone environmental campaigner Paul Tooker said even with “conditions”, Santos’ GLNG and British Gas QCLNG projects will mean destruction of harbour environment with significant reduction in local fisheries.

“There will be progressive loss of amenity in Gladstone Harbour and on harbour islands,” Mr Tooker told The Observer.