Meeting opens eyes to oil exploration

GAS FLARE: Todd Energy's Mangahewa D well site in the rural community of Tikorangi, North Taranaki. PHOTO/FIONA CLARK

Many who attended a Wanganui meeting on oil and gas exploration were shocked at what they heard, said Whanganui Green Party co-convener Philip McConkey.

The meeting, organised by the Greens, was held on Monday and covered drilling for oil and gas and "fracking" - the controversial method of forcing water, chemicals and sand into layers of rock, under pressure, to release gas.

More than 50 people turned out - including district and regional councillors - to hear from Climate Justice Taranaki's Catherine Cheung and Sarah Roberts, the Green Party candidate for New Plymouth and a landowner affected by drilling.

"It was a diverse audience and an animated meeting," Mr McConkey said.

"The speakers were excellent and their confident response to the many questions highlighted the depth of their understanding of these issues."

Ms Roberts explained how the oil and gas industry was regulated in Taranaki and how that had affected landowners, neighbours and communities where drill sites were established.

She said permission was being sought to drill up to eight wells 600 metres from Norfolk School in Inglewood.

There were also wells near Ngaere and Tikorangi schools, and well and flare pits could be within 200m to 300m of houses.

Where there were different companies working, their hazard areas sometimes overlapped, and there were often 40 to 60 families within one kilometre of a well site.

Landowners could say no to drilling on their land, but that involved them in arbitration if the company wanted to take the matter further. Neighbours were often not consulted despite effects on them from truck movement, noise and light. The whole package became challenging to live beside she said.

"Many of those present were shocked at how little say individuals and communities had over where and what drilling happened in Taranaki," Mr McConkey said.

"The drilling companies just seem to be able to do pretty much as they wish."

One of the meeting's organisers, Rachel Rose, said Wanganui should learn some lessons from what was happening in Taranaki.

"Our councils' regulatory approach is less permissive than in Taranaki, but it could be better and needs to be, if we are to protect the health and wealth of our communities."

About 15 of those present said they would be part of a local group to keep raising oil and gas issues with Horizons Regional Council and Wanganui District Council.