Aust, exploration: farmers critical

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 16

Aust, exploration: farmers critical

CVZ.PjI StaJJ Correspondent! SYDNEY, February 18. New South Wales farmers want greater protection against oil and mineral-exploration companies from entering their properties.

The general president oL the United Fanners andli Woolgrowers' Association oi New South Wales, Mr Rodney Black, today strongly criticised the Government's proposed Petroleum and Min-; erals Authority Bill, which, he I said, failed to protect the! nghts of individuals, and the rights of the community in a 1 number of specific instances “The bill does not require the authoritv to notifv land owners in respect of entry," he said. “The authority is I merely obliged to seek the permission of the occupier.; Many occupiers are not landowners, and if the occupier refuses entrv on the ground that he is not the owner, the bill imposes no further responsibility on the authority than to seek a warrant before a justice of the peace The bill made no mention of protection for agricultural land, and there was no requirement limiting the size ol exploration areas, which could, conceivably, cover

hundreds of square hectares, iand embrace hundreds of owners. “The authority, as proposed. can enter, search or mine in any area of privatelyI owned agricultural land without the knowledge, approval, !or right of objection of the owner.” Mr Black said “These lands could be under crop, or could be catchment ireas, watercourses or even homesteads. “There are no conditions, requiring restoration, no specific environmental protec-1 ■ lion. and no requirement to' undertake an environmental' impact studv.” -ARE