Senior DMP staff travelled to the Love Broome Expo last weekend to answer questions from the community regarding the regulation of the shale and tight gas industry.
| Date: | Thursday, 14 May 2015 |
|---|
Community consultation at Love Broome Expo
Staff from the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) Petroleum and Environment divisions travelled to the Love Broome Expo last weekend to answer questions from the community regarding the State Government’s regulation of the shale and tight gas industry.
This follows on from community information sessions held in Broome and Derby in March as part of DMP’s commitment to consult with the community and other stakeholders.
DMP staff also held information meetings with the Nyangumarta People and members of the North West Environmental Health Officer Group.
“DMP is committed to working with the community, government and industry to ensure the safe and sustainable management of the State’s resources for the benefit of all Western Australians,” DMP acting Petroleum Division Executive Director Bev Bower said.
Many of the community members that attended the Expo expressed keen interest in the resources sector, with more than 70 people having face-to-face discussions with staff to gain more information.
Ms Bower said open and transparent project based consultation was important to increase community awareness and knowledge of Western Australian geology and technological advancements in oil and gas extraction.
“Although the approvals process can take a number of months, and in most cases years, DMP urges the oil and gas industry to engage early and keep the local community informed of their activities throughout the life of their projects,” she said.
The main areas of interest from community members were regarding the design and long term integrity of wells, land access, use of chemicals and protection of aquifers, as well as accountability and transparency of the approvals processes.
