<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/18/fracking-south-australia-limestone-coast-peter-malinauskas-labor-broken-promise>
"South Australia’s ban on fracking was meant to last another two years. But
farmers, environmentalists and communities have expressed shock and dismay over
laws that will open up the Limestone Coast for unconventional gas development,
with some calling the move “deeply regrettable” and “environmentally
disastrous”.
A 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas was introduced by the Marshall
Liberal government in 2018, in response to widespread community opposition to
fracking in the south-east. A parliamentary inquiry concluded the industry had
no social licence, while a survey found 95% of people wanted their region to
remain gasfield free.
But on Thursday the Labor premier, Peter Malinauskas, revealed plans to
overturn the ban two years early, with laws set to be introduced to the state
parliament this week.
Pete Bissell, from the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council, described the
government’s decision as “extremely disappointing” and a broken promise.
“Fracking is not the answer here. Elsewhere in Australia, it has led only to
short-term gains accompanied by fast depletion rates on gas wells,” he said.
“To jeopardise the sustainable farming future of the region, for projects of
this kind, is deeply regrettable.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
