Tasmanians concerned about oil and gas exploration plans

Concerns are growing in the Tasmanian midlands about Petragas’s intentions to conduct oil and gas exploration in the region. The company has applied for an exploration licence for around 4000 m² of farmland just north of Hobart, near Kempton and Oatlands, the ABC has reported.

Concerned locals attended a meeting at Oatlands Primary School over the weekend to learn more about Petragas’s plans. While the company was invited to the meeting, it did not send a representative, the ABC says.

Environmental engineer Gavin Mudd told attendees to “start noting what’s going on on your property”.

Local farmer Brett Hall said many are worried about the impact of fracking in the area.

“People want information and they want answers to their questions,” Hall told the ABC.

Tasmanian Resources Minister Bryan Green is reportedly weighing up whether or not to allow shale exploration in the region.