South Australia\u2019s ban on fracking was meant to last another two years. But farmers, environmentalists and communities have expressed shock and dismay over laws that will open up the Limestone Coast for unconventional gas development, with some calling the move \u201cdeeply regrettable\u201d and \u201cenvironmentally disastrous\u201d.<\/p>\n
A 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas was introduced by the Marshall Liberal government in 2018<\/a>, in response to widespread community opposition to fracking in the south-east. A parliamentary inquiry concluded the industry had no social licence, while a survey found 95% of people wanted their region to remain gasfield free.<\/p>\n But on Thursday the Labor premier, Peter Malinauskas<\/a>, revealed plans to overturn the ban two years early, with laws set to be introduced to the state parliament this week.<\/p>\n Pete Bissell, from the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council, described the government\u2019s decision as \u201cextremely disappointing\u201d and a broken promise.<\/p>\n \u201cFracking is not the answer here. Elsewhere in Australia, it has led only to short-term gains accompanied by fast depletion rates on gas wells,\u201d he said. \u201cTo jeopardise the sustainable farming future of the region, for projects of this kind, is deeply regrettable.\u201d<\/p>\n The Limestone Coast region, which stretches between the Victorian border and the SA coast, is prime agricultural land. It produces 83% of Australia\u2019s lucerne, half of the state\u2019s dairy and potatoes, and nearly a third of its wine grapes. It is also home to the world heritage listed Naracoorte caves, and nationally significant wetlands including the Coorong national park and Piccaninnie ponds.<\/p>\n An underwater view of the aquatic plants lining Ewens ponds, near Mount Gambier. Photograph: Brook Mitchell<\/p>\n Primary producers and communities in the region rely heavily on ancient groundwater aquifers<\/a>, which have been in consistent decline since 1993. Risks to this natural resource are consistently raised as a concern in relation to fracking activity.<\/p>\n The current embargo on hydraulic fracture stimulation, a method of gas extraction more commonly known as fracking, is applied across seven local government areas: Mount Gambier, Naracoorte Lucindale, Grant, Tatiara, Kingston, Wattle Range and Robe.<\/p>\n The Limestone Coast Local Government Association said no fracking should occur until a region-wide assessment of the environmental, social and economic impacts had been undertaken.<\/p>\n The president of the association, Lynette Martin, who is also mayor of Mount Gambier, said councils were \u201cacutely aware of the anxiety and concern\u201d the announcement had created in the community.<\/p>\n \u201cThis region is built on the strength of its food and fibre industries \u2013 industries that are established, sustainable and critical to our economy,\u201d she said. \u201cWe should be backing those industries with confidence, not creating uncertainty that could undermine future investment.\u201d<\/p>\n Explaining his government\u2019s decision to remove the blanket ban, Malinauskas told SkyNews gas was a \u201cnecessary component\u201d of reaching net zero emissions. \u201cThere is no world where we get to Paris [climate agreement targets], without gas playing a role in transition.\u201d<\/p>\n He said any proposals would be subject to \u201crigorous scientific, environmental and community scrutiny\u201d.<\/p>\n The acting national coordinator for Lock the Gate Alliance, Georgina Woods, said it was a \u201cshocking decision\u201d that broke the state government\u2019s promise \u201cto protect precious groundwater and fertile farmland from the environmentally disastrous impacts of fracking\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s even more surprising is the timing,\u201d she said, with the announcement made just eight weeks after the state election.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy said the change would \u201crestore science-based decision-making\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the east coast faces tightening gas supply, unlocking responsibly regulated local production is a practical step toward energy security and affordability,\u201d the chief executive, Catherine Mooney, said.<\/p>\n It follows an agreement between the SA government and Santos signed in February, contracting the company to supply 20 petajoules of gas annually, over 10 years from 2030.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s current gas use is about 63PJ a year, with electricity generation contributing about half of the total. However, it has a target to reach net 100% renewable energy<\/a> by next year.<\/p>\n The energy minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said SA remained on track for its renewable target. \u201cWe are proud of our global leadership on renewables \u2013 and that has only been possible with the firming capacity of gas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s upper house could pose an obstacle, however, with One Nation flagging their opposition to the government\u2019s plans, and the Liberals calling for the community to have a say.<\/p>\n