Over 60 people attended the meeting on a Thursday afternoon (with apologies to the Sydney weekenders who were therefore unable to attend).
The meeting began with a report on a meeting with Centennial Coal held at their Capertee office, with Beau Preston and John Sandona, attended by Mitchell Clapham (NSW Farmers) and RSWUA members Helen Ewart. Jolieske Lips and Prudie Woods. A full report of this meeting is available on the blog.
It soon became apparent there was much criticism and concern regarding the Water Census: explanation by Centennial about the process and information on what the census was and what it was doing was totally inadequate. Many expressed the view that they wanted details before they agreed to letting Aquaterra onto their properties. The one positive note was a report from one landholder, describing himself as a person who had spend a good deal of time earning his living by performing chemical analyses - it was his observation that the sampling process used was meticulous.
The meeting was informed that RSWUA had written to Centennial asking for a full hydrogeology survey, with an independent hydrogeologist(for RSWUA) having input into the parameters of such a survey and RSWUA being given full details of the parameters. Centennial had initially rejected all these requests, but following the meeting with representatives of RSWUA on 21 September, they have agreed to make public the parameters of the water census. This will be put on the blog.
Some information on what exploratory drilling entails and the chemicals used was briefly discussed. There are a range of issues that landholders might be concerned about, and information on these will be put on the blog.
Other points made during the meeting:
· Some conflicting reports when drilling is going to start. Need to confirm these details.
· Some people believe that the flow rate of water is not being tested on their property. Is this not occurring for everyone?
· Documents discussed at meeting to be added to blog [the access letter Aquaterra present on arrival at a property, info about drilling concerns, and letter from Centennial with details on the Water Census].
· Insurance policies – it was suggested to request the company’s policy, to ensure accidents/damages are their responsibility, not yours.
· OH&S policies – discussion whether each property should have their own policy, some landholders do. This is to cover landholders.
· Conveyed to a landholder that it is cheaper and easier for CC to drill on private property, as opposed to council/public ground.
· Ensure old drill holes are filled in (can only be on CC’s lease).
At the conclusion of the meeting the community members present decided that they would like to take a stand. However, it is noted that there are landholders who would wish to take access agreements to their own solicitor, rather than using group legal representation. Some landholders will deal with the situation as they see fit.
1st Stage: The community has decided on the minimum standards required from CC. These being:
· A benchmark of what the water census entails is to be received by the association. This will be looked at by a hydrogeologist to ensure it is testing for the appropriate components.
· Results need to be made public, a public explanation, with consideration given to the confidentiality of landholders, is necessary.
2nd Stage: If the community accepts the results of the 1st stage, then the second stage would entail a full hydrogeological study:
· There needs to be a separate hydrogeological survey access agreement for this [i.e. it is separate and different to access for exploratory drilling].
· The association needs to investigate whether small core, specifically hydro type drilling can potentially threaten the aquifers. If this is deemed a satisfactory means for a hydro study, then it is requested that CC follow through with this process. However this drilling would not go down into the coal measures.
· Negotiation of adequate compensation. It needs to be clearly stated in the access agreement that any damage to aquifers/water supply is CC’s responsibility – they are liable NOT the Association.
· Once again the results (with adequate protection of individual landholders privacy) to be made public and with a public explanation.
Should this report confirm exploratory drilling will not impact the aquifers, then exploratory drilling can proceed, CC now having adequate information to plot their grid of boreholes.
· It was also agreed upon to ‘suggest’ to CC that they complete their drilling on public ground.
Posted for President
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