LABOR’S candidate for South West Coast is demanding answers about the impact that unconventional gas exploration and extraction could have on the region’s water supplies.
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In letters to Wannon Water and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, Roy Reekie asks whether any steps have been taken to protect water supplies from the extraction method, more commonly known as fracking.
“I’m aware that fracking uses large amounts of water and that it may have the potential to impact adversely on the quality of artesian water due to the chemicals and processes it uses,” Mr Reekie says.
He urged both authorities to investigate the potential and probable impact of fracking on artesian water supplies and reticulated water supplies and protect them from any risks.
Mr Reekie said Wannon Water and the catchment authority had both acknowledged his letters, but not provided any answers to his questions.
He said Warrnambool’s drinking water was sourced mainly from the Otways which was unlikely to be affected, but he held concerns for the future of supplies at Portland which came from the artesian basin.
The ALP has promised a full parliamentary inquiry on fracking if it is elected on Saturday.
Mr Reekie said it would focus on the environmental, social and economic impacts of the extraction process with a complete moratorium until the inquiry was completed.
