The South Australian Government has released a draft roadmap aimed at maximizing the potential of the state’s unconventional gas resources in an environmentally sustainable way.

 

The roadmap, believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, will lay out crucial information for the sector’s stakeholders.

 

“It’s about starting a conversation about the benefits of unconventional gas to South Australia and we encourage all stakeholders including APPEA members to be engaged in that discussion,” State Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Tom Koutsantonis said.

 

“Even in its infancy the unconventional gas sector has the potential to deliver hundreds of millions, if not billions of investment dollars to this State and provide a new lease of life to the Cooper Basin.”

 

“The aim of the road map is to not only inform South Australians but also set a course for the environmentally sustainable development of this State’s large endowment of unconventional gas.”

 

The draft establishes the factors that will be taken into account in considering the approval of unconventional gas projects in considering compatibility with existing natural, social and economic environments.

 

The draft Road Map is open for public comment until 5pm Friday 27th July 2012, so that people and enterprises can influence the final form of the document.

 

For downloads of the draft road map and online lodgement of submissions go to: www.petroleum.dmitre.sa.gov.au/environment/register/comment