19.9 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

EPA investigates Santos CSG ponds

Latest News

Splendour 2024 cancelled

It's official, Splendour in the Grass 2024 has been cancelled.

Other News

How the coral crisis affects other marine wildlife

Marine heatwaves are killing coral and denuding reefs of their colourful beauty – but in a world where everything is food for something else, these heatwaves also pose a major threat to biodiversity.

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Where will an extra 30,000 people fit in Tweed? Your last chance to comment

The Tweed Shire Growth Management Housing Strategy Options Paper proposes a lot of significant changes across that shire, and many of the options are controversial.

NORPA’s wild ride at Lismore Showgrounds

NORPA is taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, announcing it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds. A sensory, destination theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.

Santos
Image courtesy Lock the Gate

The Envrionment Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating possible leaks from Santos coal seam gas wastewater storage ponds, this time within 8km of the town of Narrabri in northwest NSW.

Requests by the Lock the Gate Alliance under freedom of information have confirmed the EPA is investigating two wastewater storage dams at Tintsfield, south-west of Narrabri.

Confirmation of the latest investigation follows a serious breach of a liner at Santos’s Bibblewindi wastewater storage ponds in the Pilliga, which resulted in the contamination of a groundwater aquifer.

Campaign coordinator for Lock the Gate Carmel Flint said the latest investigation showed the risks associated with the storage of CSG wastewater and the need for the industry to operate more openly.

‘Santos has already been fined for contaminating groundwater with uranium and other heavy metals at its CSG waste water ponds in the Pilliga Forest and now we learn that two more holding ponds are under investigation for similar leaks,’ Ms Flint said.

‘Santos have admitted that they first reported problems at the Tintsfield ponds in May 2013, more than a year ago, which begs the question as to why the community has been left in the dark yet again for such a long time.

‘Lock the Gate calls on the state government and Santos to reveal the full details of this investigation and to immediately inform the people of Narrabri if there is even a hint that groundwater in the area may have been contaminated.’


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

We just love him!

If you’re over 50 you might not be a fan of Tom Jones, but you can bet your mum is. If you’re under 40 you might not even know who he is, but your grandmother probably wet her pants at the mere mention of his name.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

New report highlights gaps in rural and remote health

The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report has just been released. Presenting the latest data on the health of rural and remote Australians and evidence on service gaps, it identifies issues in urgent need of attention from service providers, funders, partners and policy makers.