Metgasco seeks to have court overturn ruling on drilling ban
Judicial review sought in the Supreme Court. Metgasco says the ban wasn’t authorised by legislation and denied it fairness.
A mining company which had its controversial coal seam gas drilling licence suspended by the NSW government is seeking to overturn the decision in court.
The energy minister, Anthony Roberts, suspended Metgasco’s licence at Bentley, in northern NSW, in May after an audit found the company had failed to properly consult the community about the operation to drill the Rosella well.
Roberts also referred information about shareholdings and interests in Sydney-based Metgasco to the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac).
The company has now filed for a judicial review in the Supreme Court, and plans to argue the minister’s decision was “unlawful” because it wasn’t authorised by legislation and denied it procedural fairness.
It also disputes the government’s claim that it did not property consult the local community.
As well, Metgasco is considering whether to claim for damages to compensate it for losses, estimated at about $3m, arising from the suspension, the company said on Tuesday in a statement.
The filing comes a day after Icac told Metgasco that it would not be inquiring into its shareholder arrangements or interests.
The government’s decision to suspend the licence came just days before thousands of protesters were expected to form a blockade outside the Bentley drill site and up to 800 police officers were expected to be called in to to monitor their activity.
Source: theguardian
