Mining giant Santos given approval to re-activate four coal seam gas wells in NSW

Margaret Fleck (left) says she'll be lobbying the new NSW government to stop the exploration. (Supplied: Lock the Gate)

A north-west New South Wales farmer has called on the new state Labor government to stop coal seam gas exploration in the area after an approval was granted during the election caretaker period.

The NSW Resources Regulator gave the company permission to reactivate four existing wells at the Kahlua Pilot site on the Liverpool Plains, about 20 kilometres west of Gunnedah.

Cattle farmer Margaret Fleck lives near the area and has warned coal seam gas mining would threaten the production of food and fibre in the area.

"I think the message has to be very clear to the government and all the crossbenchers – this will trigger considerable community opposition, and that it won't bode well for the future of food and fibre production." 

"We must now appeal to [them] to stop it, and not let it proceed," she said.

Concerns were also raised by some Liverpool Plains farmers about the approval, which was granted on March 15, almost two weeks after the caretaker period started.

Margaret Fleck says there's "local outrage" at the exploration approval. (ABC: 7.30)

The Resources Regulator said the decision was routine business, but the caretaker conventions prevented it from publishing the details on its website until the end of the month.

Santos' website indicates it will continue exploration works there until late 2024 or early 2025 to "ensure the long-term energy security and affordability for the state".

The Plains: a long-fought battleground

These wells sit inside Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 1 — which had expired, and was extended by the NSW government in 2021.

Then Deputy Premier and minister for Resources John Barilaro said the purpose of resurrecting that handful of PELs was to "support the long-term future of the Narrabri Gas Project."

This decision was made months after the same government paid off mining company Shenhua to walk away from its planned coal mine on the Plains after enormous community opposition.

But farmers such as Ms Fleck are willing to put up a fight again, to stop any mining from happening.

"Obviously there's local outrage that they should do this," she said.

"There would be no reason to do this further exploration and appraisal unless the intention was, in the end, to be producing coal seam gas from the Liverpool Plains."

Santos declined to comment, and the newly sworn in state minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe was also contacted for comment.