South Australia’s ban on fracking was meant to last another two years. But farmers, environmentalists and communities have expressed shock and dismay over laws that will open up the Limestone Coast for unconventional gas development, with some calling the move “deeply regrettable” and “environmentally disastrous”.
A 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas was introduced by the Marshall Liberal government in 2018, in response to widespread community opposition to fracking in the south-east. A parliamentary inquiry concluded the industry had no social licence, while a survey found 95% of people wanted their region to remain gasfield free.
