Landmark legislation to permanently ban fracking for gas will return to the Victorian Parliament as the Victorian Government puts regional communities first to protect our clean and green reputation.
Victorians have overwhelmingly embraced a ban on fracking to support farmers, the environment and the state’s vital food and fibre sector.
In a national first, the Resources Legislation Amendment (Fracking Ban) Bill 2016 will:
- Permanently ban all onshore unconventional gas exploration and development, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) and coal seam gas
- Extend the moratorium on conventional onshore gas exploration and development to 30 June 2020
The Bill amends the Petroleum Act 1998 and the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 to implement the permanent ban.
The legislation forms part of the Victorian Government’s response to the 2015 Parliamentary Inquiry into Onshore Unconventional Gas in Victoria which received more than 1600 submissions, mostly opposed to onshore unconventional gas.
Extending the moratorium to 2020 will allow for experts to carry out scientific, technical and environmental studies on the risks, benefits and impacts of onshore conventional gas.
That work will be overseen by Victoria’s lead scientist in consultation with a stakeholder advisory committee made up of farmers, industry, local government and community members.
The Government has called on the Victorian Liberals and Nationals to support the Bill and take a stand on this critical issue for the state.
Victoria’s agricultural sector exports $12 billion in food and fibre products each year and employs about 190,000 people.
The Bill will ensure Victoria remains frack-free to support food and fibre production across the state, regional economies and local jobs.
We promised we would end fracking for good, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.