labor’s plan for A Csg free A message from Luke Foley, nsw labor leader A NSW Labor Government will declare a permanent ban on unconventional and coal seam gas (CSG) in the Northern Rivers region.

The Northern Rivers region is unique.

It is one of ’s most biologically diverse areas supporting a variety of significant habitat, including large swathes of World Heritage listed forests. Many of the region’s key industries including tourism and agriculture rely on the region’s ‘clean and green’ image.

Large scale industrial infrastructure is not appropriate for the region. The risks it poses to the natural assets of the Northern Rivers are unacceptable.

Labor believes in a prosperous future for NSW – and one where we consider the health of our communities and our environment.

A NSW Labor Government will impose a moratorium on all CSG activity across the state. However, there are some places, like the state’s Northern Rivers region, where CSG will never be appropriate.

Yours sincerely

Luke Foley NSW Labor Leader Protecting the Northern Rivers from CSG Labor will declare a total ban on Coal Seam and Unconventional Gas in the Northern Rivers of NSW, encompassing the local government areas of , , Shire, Lismore City, , Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley. This region is pristine and stunning with World Heritage listed national parks and recreational areas. The Northern Rivers has a unique quality of life with a blend of lifestyles ranging from alternative to agriculture. The region also has the nation’s most significant internal migration in Australia.

The industries of tourism, cattle, sugar and dairy all rely on the area’s natural values. The environmental values of the region are internationally significant. The development of the coal seam gas and unconventional gas industry would fundamentally undermine these environmental assets and the economic drivers that rely on them.

The people of the Northern Rivers overwhelmingly do not want unconventional gas in the region. At the September 8, 2012 local government elections, Lismore City Council held a referendum asking voters “Do you support coal-seam gas (CSG) exploration and production in the Lismore City Council area?” More than 87% of electors voted “no”.

Concern about produced water, the drawdown of groundwater and the water table, contamination of water sources, and the risk of irreversible damage to the water system are the most common issues raised by the community. ENVIRONMENT WATER The sub-tropical and temperate Labor is committed to hotspot of the Northern Rivers protecting drinking water is one of Australia’s most catchments throughout NSW. biologically diverse regions. The Rocky Creek supplies

It has a variety of significant habitats: drinking water to the Northern subtropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll Rivers area stretching from forest, mountain headlands, rocky Woodburn in the south, outcrops and transition zones between north to Ocean Shores and forests, that support a huge variety of bird and macropod species, many west to Lismore. of which are threatened. It is supplemented by the Emigrant Creek The region has also been given World Dam, the Wilsons River Source and several Heritage recognition. It is home to a bore sites. supplies water number of sites which form part of the to Tweed Shire – one of the State’s fastest Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World growing regions in terms of population. Heritage Area. These include the Nightcap Rous Water provides water to residents in National Park, National parts of Lismore, Ballina, Byron Shire and Park, Amaroo Forest Reserve, Border Richmond Valley and is planning to draw Ranges National Park and Limpinwood water from groundwater sources in the .1 region.

In 2003, then Federal Liberal Environment These water resources must remain Minister Dr David Kemp declared the Border uncompromised. Ranges region which includes the and Levers Plateau, one of Australia’s 15 biodiversity hotspots.2 This declaration stated that “this sub-tropical and temperate hotspot is one of Australia’s most diverse areas – and it is the most biologically diverse area in ”.

1. Australian Government, Department of Environment, World Heritage Places – Gondwana Rainforests of Australia 2. Dr David Kemp, Australian Government, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, “Kemp Declares Biodiversity ‘Hotspots’ - A World First”, 3 October 2003 KEY INDUSTRIES

The region’s natural assets are central to The dairy and cattle industries the marketing effort of its diverse industries. are a huge generator of economic activity in Labor believes mining and exploration of the region, with both beef and dairy processed unconventional gas could undermine the in the Northern Rivers. The dairy industry purity of the region’s reputation which will accounts for 11 per cent ($42 million) of the jeopardise the clean green image differential total gross value of agricultural production of these industries. in the region. Dairy produce, including milk, milk products and cheese, are a key area of NSW Trade and Investment describe tourism booming Asian demand. The first ever export as one of the region’s four key industries along of fresh packaged milk to China by Norco with agriculture (dairy, tropical fruits, cattle Dairy Co-op in 2014 was a major milestone etc), manufacturing (food, beverages and for the industry and represented a huge timber) and the creative industries (the region potential market for NSW farmers. Chinese has the highest number of film directors after consumers will pay $9 a litre for milk products and Melbourne). from areas that reliably deliver a clean, healthy product. Norco has increased their weekly milk Last year tourism on the NSW North Coast deliveries to China from 30,000 to 80,000 generated $2.8 million with more than bottles. Norco’s turnover in 2014 is 5 million domestic and 263,000 international $430 million and it employs 650 people. tourists visiting the area. According to Destination NSW in the Northern Rivers area The north coast beef industry is home tourism directly supports 6800 jobs, with to 31 per cent of the state’s beef farms and is natural/eco-tourism being the main tourism the most important commodity in the region drawcard. A key economic driver of the area (based on agricultural output value), with Casino is nature based tourism, which means the being known as the beef capital of NSW. In 2010–11, natural assets underpinning this thriving cattle and calves contributed 25 per cent ($93 industry must not be compromised. million) to the total gross value of agricultural production in the region. Sugar Cane is one of the region’s biggest employers with 2,200 workers and injects $230 million into the State economy, covering 34,000 hectares on the North Coast.