DPI plays down chopper survey concerns
Posted
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says land-holders should not be worried about recent helicopter surveys on the Liverpool Plains.
Land-holders have raised concerns with the Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, that the helicopters were surveying the region as a forerunner to further coal exploration in the region.
But the DPI says the helicopters are part of a state-wide geological study and land-holders were advised in leaflets and newspaper advertisements about the project.
Brad Mullard from the DPI says farmers should not be concerned about the surveys.
"What it does do is basically take these readings that will help us understand the deep geology across New South Wales," he said.
"It really is scientific studies, it has nothing to do with any actual exploration for coal, in fact it won't tell as anything about coal deposits in the area."
Mr Humphries says the department has failed to notify people of its presence in the community.
"Basically people have not been notified. There are safety issues there, as well as trespassing issues. There's a number of issues around coal exploration at the moment. People have a right to know what's going on," he said.
