Resources minister announces refusal of exploration licences
MINSTER for Resources and Energy, while visiting Casino today, has announced two Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications in the Northern Rivers have been refused.
Lismore
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lismore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE 11:25am: MINISTER for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts has cancelled a press conference which was set to be held at Richmond Valley Council chambers following a meeting with representatives from Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Lismore Councils.
Following the Minister's doorstop at the Council chambers this morning, he announced his 11.30am press conference was cancelled.
UPDATE 11:15am: NSW RESOURCES Minister's Anthony Roberts' press conference in outside Richmond Valley Council's Casino office was sensationally overshadowed this morning when mid-way through speaking to the media throng, an assistant whispered in Mr Roberts's ear that the Premier, Barry O'Farrell had resigned.
It is understood Mr O'Farrell resigned this morning over lying to an ICAC enquiry about receiving a $3000 bottle of wine, after a "smoking gun" was produced in the form of a handwritten thankyou note for the wine written by Mr O'Farrell.
Mr Roberts is in Casino to have meetings with Richmond Valley mayor Ernie Bennett and general manager John Walker as well as representatives from Kyogle and Lismore councils.
Mr Robersts also announced the cancellation the gas exploration licenses PEL 127 and 128 around Woodburn and Coraki because they did not "meet , I believe and my Department believes, the high standards that they should".
It is understood those licenses are owned by an Italian company which had not used them to conduct any exploration.
He blamed the previous Labor government, whom he said had "blanketed" the state with untenable exploration licenses.
Ahead of major police action expected against the blockade in the coming weeks, Mr Roberts called for an end to "intimidation" by some protesters in their fight against unconventional gas of "families and farmers" that had contrary positions on the gas issue.
He called for a "sensible debate" around CSG and lamented the "rise of extremists who have infilitrated these peaceful [protest] groups".
"No one condones trespass… no one condones people putting spikes down to stop people lawfully entering their own gates."
"My message to the protesters at Bentley is when there is a position from those protesters… that joins with me in condemning intimidatory and unlawful behavior, then you're more likely to get a seat at the table."
"There is no room for intimidation, bullying and harassment from people who believe themselves for any reason to be outside the law."
Said NSW had the "highest standards" of regulation around coal-seam gas and if the industry did develop here it would under the "tightest scrutiny".
UPDATE 10:20am: MINSTER for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts, who is visiting Casino today, has announced two Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications in the Northern Rivers have been refused.
He said that The Office of Coal Seam Gas had advised him of a "lack of financial viability for the applicant" concerning the two licence applications at Coraki and Woodburn.
"Mr Tito Trapuzzano is the sole applicant for the PELAs, he has no known petroleum exploration history and no Australian financial records or reports have been identified," Mr Roberts said.
"Mr Trapuzzano's application did propose the use of experienced Australian petroleum consultants but the application significantly under-estimated the costs involved in completing the necessary exploratory work, ensuring adequate security bonds are held if approved and undertaking sufficient community consultation."
"Companies with applications that don't stack up should not be surprised when the Government refuses their applications."
Three weeks ago, the NSW Government announced a freeze on the processing of new Petroleum Exploration Licence Applications and an audit of existing Petroleum Exploration Licences.
The freeze will run until 26 September 2014 and allow time to put in place a more comprehensive application process.
The application fee for Petroleum Exploration Titles has also been raised from $1,000 to $50,000.
"The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will only accept applications that measure up to the best practice standards," Mr Roberts said.
"The Government is working to ensure that there is a comprehensive assessment process to increase participation by professional, capable and experienced companies."
UPDATE 10am: GASFIELD Free Northern Rivers has said that local visit by Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts has been generated by the massive and broadbased Bentley blockade.
Gasfield Free Northern Rivers spokesperson Ian Gaillard said the visit follows the "massive success" of the Bentley blockade, which has seen thousands of people visit and occupy the entrance to Metgasco's proposed tight sands drilling operation.
"The state government and the gas lobbyists are responding to what can only be described as a crisis of democracy in the Northern Rivers," Mr Gaillard said.
"87% of Lismore people voted against gasfield development in 2012 and reliable university research recorded 65% opposition in the Richmond valley."
"People have marched, written to politicians and exhausted all available avenues to resolve this issue."
"Metgasco is now in crisis with its share price falling and a business model solely reliant on large scale policing to move forward."
"In the leadup to the March 2015 state election, the government has a crisis of democracy on its hands, which can only be resolved by declaring the Northern Rivers 'Gasfield Free'."
ORIGINAL: MINISTER for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts will be making a visit to Casino today.
Mr Roberts is set to visit Richmond Valley Council Chambers for a meeting with representatives from Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Lismore Councils to discuss developments in the local community and the gas industry.
Reporter from The Northern Star, Hamish Broome, will be posting updates about Mr Roberts' visit throughout the morning.
Watch: Tobacconist blows up in suspected arson attack
A northern NSW tobacconist has erupted in flames overnight in a suspected arson attack, with firefighters scrambling to extinguish the blaze. Watch the moment it explodes.
Builder fighting Ballina siege charges
A North Coast man allegedly armed himself with knives and a golf club during a six-hour siege in which he told tactical police he would not come peacefully and they would have to “shoot him”. Here’s the latest.