Senate Environment and Communications References Committee recommends ban on carbon capture storage across the Great Artesian Basin
Basin provides water for farmers across huge areas of our continent
The Senate Committee recommended updating "water trigger" legislation so the effects of all CCS projects on vital groundwater are assessed
Farmers for Climate Action has welcomed strong recommendations from the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee on carbon capture and storage, following US coal giant Glencore's attempt to store coal waste underground in the Great Artesian Basin.
The Great Artesian Basin or GAB is the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world; an enormous underground water resource spanning most of Queensland, the south east corner of the Northern Territory, northern NSW and a third of South Australia. It provides drinking water as well as water to grow food and fibre.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard welcomed the recommendations to protect farmers' water from the coal company.
"Farmers need clean water and clean air to grow food and fibre for Australia and the world," Ms Collard said.
"We're pleased the Senate Committee has so strongly recommended a ban on carbon capture and storage activities across the Great Artesian Basin, and that the impacts on groundwater of all carbon capture projects be assessed under Federal legislation. The Senate Committee understands how important clean water is for Australia's food supply."
The Senate Committee report quoted FCA, stating: "Farmers for Climate Action, for example, noted that the risks of the project to water security and food production outweigh the benefits."
The relevant recommendations were:
The committee recommends that states and territories consider a legislated ban on CCS activities across the GAB to ensure this important natural asset is uniformly preserved.
The committee recommends updating the water trigger in the EPBC Act to include onshore CCS.
