The Hon Anthony Roberts MP Minister for Resources and Energy

Special Minister of State

MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 4 December 2014

NEW CONDITIONS FOR DART ENERGY’S PEL 445

Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts today said new conditions have been placed on Dart Energy (Bruxner) Pty Ltd with the renewal of its Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 445 on the NSW North Coast.

Dart Energy is only permitted to undertake low impact exploration activities including data review, mapping and technical evaluation. Any other activities require further approvals and are subject to the Government’s strict new conditions and regulations.

Dart Energy must also meet the Government’s licence conditions for community consultation.

Mr Roberts said Dart Energy has also relinquished more than a quarter of the PEL title area it previously held.

“This means areas around Lismore, Ballina, Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby are now released from Dart Energy’s title area,” Mr Roberts said.

“The Office of Coal Seam Gas (OCSG) recommended the renewal of PEL 445 for six years based on the company’s financial and technical capacity, good record of environmental management and rehabilitation.”

As outlined in the NSW Gas Plan, a freeze on new PEL applications remains in place until the new Strategic Release Framework is introduced next year.

“Under the former Labor Government, PELs were handed out for just $1,000 each with little oversight and regulation of the industry,” Mr Roberts said.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s Gas Plan provides a clear, strategic framework to deliver world’s best practice regulation of the industry, based on the expert advice from the independent NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer.

“The new Strategic Release Framework will evaluate economic, social and environmental factors, with community consultation conducted upfront, before the NSW Government releases a proposed title area for expressions of interest.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering world’s best practice regulation of the gas industry to protect our water, agricultural land, environment and other critical industries.”

UKI

DRAKE

YAMBA

ILUKA

LEGUME

CUDGEN

CLUNES

NIMBIN

CORAKI

TABULAM

BONALBO

WOOMBAH

HARWOOD

MACLEAN

TYALGUM

MOOBALLKUNGHUR

FEDERAL

CANIABA

WARDELL

BANGALOW

WOODBURN

WHIPORIE

MAIN ARM

CAWONGLA

WYRALLAH

WIANGAREE

RAPPVILLE

BARYULGIL

TUMBULGUM

POTTSVILLEWOODENBONG

URBENVILLE

CHATSWORTH

EVANS HEAD

BROADWATER

BURRINGBAR

MODANVILLE

GOOLMANGAR

WOLLONGBAR

LENNOX HEAD

MALLANGANEE

OLD BONALBO

RILEYS HILL

THE CHANNON

CHILLINGHAM

MULLUMBIMBY

GOONENGERRY

ALSTONVILLE

SUFFOLK PARK

OCEAN SHORES

MALABUGILMAH

MURWILLUMBAH

HASTINGS POINT

CABARITA BEACH

STOKERS SIDING

CASINO

KYOGLE

BALLINA

LISMORE

BYRON BAYKyogle LGA

Tenterfield LGA

Richmond Valley LGA

Clarence Valley LGA

Tweed LGA

Lismore LGA

Byron LGA

Ballina LGA

Glen Innes Severn Shire LGA

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km

2km Residential ExclusionsLGA OutlinesRevised Renewal AreaPEL445 Current Title AreaHighway

Bruxner Highway

Pacifi

c High

way

Dart Energy PEL445