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APRIL 10 2013 WWW.NEWCASTLEPOST.COM.AU
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GM STANDS DOWN
‘V’ is for victory
The General Manager of Cessnock Council, Lea Rosser, has resigned a week before fi ndings from the whistleblower’s ICAC case against Cessnock Councillors are expected to be released. Cessnock Mayor, Bob Pynsent, confi rmed the change on Monday in an official statement that claimed Ms Rosser had resigned for “personal reasons�...
In a win for the region, residents celebrate end of CSG drilling
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TWISTED TALE Maitland theatre takes on The Guardsman PAGE 8 Fullerton Cove residents signal ‘V’ for victory in celebration of Dart Energy’s suspension of exploration works
TRICIA MOROSIN
H
unter residents have had a win over the coal seam gas industry, with Dart Energy announcing they will suspend drilling activity at Fullerton Cove – work many feared would put the region’s water supply at risk. After three years of fighting to prevent CSG exploration in their backyard, Fullerton Cove residents were ecstatic to fi nally receive the good news last week, and President of the Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout, described it as a win for the whole region.
“Th is is a real win for the community who have fought hard for the protection of the region’s water supply and it is also [a] win for communities everywhere who are fighting dangerous coal seam gas proposals,� Mr Clout said. Th is year has been a rollercoaster ride for the residents, after the O’Farrell Government announced CSG bans on residential zones, but then said they wouldn’t apply to pre-approved works such as Fullerton Cove. Two weeks ago the residents were again left devastated when their case against Dart Energy was dismissed in the Land & Environment Court and an injunction preventing drilling was lifted. Only a few days later, however, their luck
changed, when Dart Energy decided to suspend work “until NSW and Federal policies are in place to support the industry�, a statement read. “We didn’t expect it to unravel as quickly as it did,� Fullerton Cove resident, Sue Walker, said. “It’s been nearly three years of our lives now and it’s been a huge drain on the community but it’s drawn the community together like nothing before.� Although Dart is saying a decision on “when the Fullerton Cove pilot wells will be drilled will be made once more regulatory clarity and certainty has been obtained�, the residents are confident the company won’t be back. They are planning an official celebration in the coming weeks.
IN IT TO WIN IT Girls sample codes to encourage participation PAGE 20
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