PDC: DPWG 4 February

Agenda
Review/approval of MAUT weightings Consistency of policy with party themes Develop policy text

Attendance

 * Andrew Downing
 * Mark Gibbons
 * Brendan Molloy
 * Emma Roberts

Minutes
Working group filled out MAUT tables. Emma proposed additional inclusion of impact on drinking water - this was inserted. Final MAUT tables assessed: Farmers rights; Retention of arable land; Retention of habitat; Groundwater damage/depletion; Fugitive emissions; Mining profit/revenue to govts; Emissions reductions (vs coal); and Protection of drinkable water supply. All MAUT tables averaged - Andrew weightings favoured full moratorium. Mark, Brendan and Emma weightings favoured full ban. Average ratings favoured full ban. Compromise proposal was for ban to be reviewed as evidence emerged regarding the safety of the practice. Ban agreed as starting point. Policy assessed to be compliant with broader party themes/vision, which emphasises renewable energy and community-focused energy policy. Policy text writing commenced. Working group discussed closing existing CSG mines: agreement formed that closures be limited to metropolitan areas and cases where landowners were overruled. Need to recognise farmers rights - additional safeguard to be included that farmers may refuse to grant access to land for purposes of fracking. All parts of policy accepted as drafted. Meeting closed at 10:20PM.