Farmers in the New South Wales north west have reacted with anger to the announcement by the Deputy Premier that some of the state’s most productive farmland will be available to be exploited by Santos for coal seam gas, describing the move as a “betrayal” of the National Party’s rural constituency. 

A shocking lack of federal scrutiny over the Santos Narrabri gasfield revealed in new freedom of information documents serves as a warning for communities covered by zombie petroleum licences, according to Lock the Gate Alliance.

Pressure is mounting on the Berejiklian government to make good on its promise to extinguish fossil fuel extraction rights on the rich farmlands of the Liverpool Plains with two bills set to go before the NSW upper house.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro last week told farmers at Breeza, south of Gunnedah, that the government would follow up its $100 million buyout of plans for an open-cut coal mine by China’s Shenhua Corporation with purchases of petroleum exploration licences (PELs) held by Santos.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s comments suggesting the government will extinguish some but not all zombie petroleum licences are leaving regional and rural constituents in the dark and farming districts at risk.

North West NSW farmers have launched a legal appeal in the Land and Environment Court against the Independent Planning Commission’s approval of the destructive Santos Narrabri gasfield.

A national day of action will be held tomorrow (Thursday, December 3) as members of the Gomeroi/Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Nation and their allies rally in opposition to Santos’ Narrabri gasfield, following Federal Government approval last week.

The Morrison Government’s approval of the Santos Narrabri gasfield has only strengthened the resolve of local Traditional Owners, farmers, and concerned community members to continue the fight against the destructive project.

North west NSW farmers say their worst fears are being realised as gas companies announce plans to raise so-called “zombie-PELs” from the dead in response to the Independent Planning Commission’s decision to greenlight the Santos Narrabri gasfield.

Farmers and Gomeroi Traditional Owners fighting the Santos Narrabri coal seam gasfield will ramp up the battle to protect their lands and precious water resources despite today’s disastrous IPC decision. 

Lock the Gate Alliance and north west NSW farmers have today slammed the Planning Department’s decision to label the destructive and polluting Santos Narrabri coal seam gas “approvable."