Bubbling Condamine no risk to health or environment

A Queensland Government report has confirmed that bubbles in the Condamine River pose no risk to the environment or to human and animal health.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, today released the Condamine River Gas Seep Investigation Report and outlined the next phase of an ongoing investigation into the occurrence.

“My department has mapped along 60km of the Condamine River downstream from Chinchilla Weir, as well as 10km of the Charley’s Creek tributary. Gas safety testing of four gas seeps and adjacent properties at key sites has also been conducted,” Mr Cripps said.

“The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) has also conducted water and soil sampling at targeted seep and background sites along the river.

“Analysis of these results has to date found no evidence of gas safety or water quality risks to the community from the gas seeps or any evidence of environmental harm.

“Results also indicate that the gas is predominantly composed of methane, consistent with gas originating from Surat Basin geological formations.

 Mr Cripps said Queensland Government agencies have started the next phase of their investigation into the bubbling gas seeps downstream of Chinchilla Weir in the Condamine River.

 “The focus of new activities will be ongoing water quality monitoring and periodic gas safety assessments of the river and water bores on adjacent properties,” he said.

 “While the results of this report don’t provide definite evidence of the source or cause of the gas seeps, we are taking a long-term approach to find science-based answers to this phenomenon.”

 “The Newman Government continues to work in partnership with local landholders and industry to determine the source or cause of the Condamine River gas seeps.

 “Government agencies have already undertaken comprehensive investigations and testing along the Condamine River independent of the investigation being conducted by coal seam gas company, Origin.”

 Mr Cripps said the next phase of the investigation by Queensland Government agencies will involve:

·         Ongoing water quality monitoring in the Condamine River by DEHP, in order to assess potential environmental harm
·         Periodic gas safety assessments of nearby landholder water bores by the DNRM Petroleum and Gas Inspectorat
·         The Geological Survey of Queensland will revise the geological mapping of the affected area in the Surat Basin
·         Further in-depth review of historical groundwater data of nearby gassy bores, utilising all available departmental records

“A key aspect of government’s ongoing gas seep investigation is the verification of Origin data in order to ensure the company’s investigation is rigorous and is independently assessed,” he said.

“An independent scientific review will be completed by Queensland’s Chief Scientist, Dr Geoff Garrett, to ensure that Origin’s investigation and verification actions by government agencies, achieve a high scientific standard and integrity.

“All this work will be coordinated by the government’s LNG Enforcement Unit and adjacent landholders will be kept fully informed about activities and findings.”

 More information is available at: www.csg-lng.industry.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 21 January 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754