Barwon Water – Victoria’s largest regional water corporation – was asked for a comment on the report from Western Australia that the Water Corporation there wants a ban on fracking.

Their reply, via Facebook, was:

“Barwon Water supports the Victorian Government’s current moratorium on coal seam gas mining. Barwon Water would object to any proposal deemed detrimental to the region’s water resources.”

To which Mik Aidt replied – via Facebook – in this way:

“Thank you for the reply. Highly appreciated.

I am aware that Facebook is probably not the place we should be discussing these matters, but it appears to me as if your answer is somewhat speaking in riddles, leaving a lot open for interpretation. And yes, I know you have to watch your mouth with this, because otherwise you’d need to get clearance from here and there in the organisation before you could write anything.

But let me elaborate, so you understand what I am trying to say:

1)
In your first sentence you seem to be saying: “Barwon Water is happy with the temporary ban on fracking and coal seam gas mining, but we do not – like the WA’s Water Corporation did, (according to that article which I was refering you to) – wish to call out loud for fracking to be banned in areas where it affects drinking water sources (on the grounds that the contamination risks simply are unacceptable for us).”

OK then. But… why not?

This was what I was asking: Will you make a statement as strong as Water Corp did – or won’t you? And if not, then WHY NOT?

I mean, when the WA Water Corporation can do it, then why can’t – or won’t – Barwon Water do something similar? To me, that seems strange. Aren’t both companies dealing with the same substance: WATER?

So what exactly is holding you back from making a more bold statement and taking a more bold position? Politics? But… is Barwon Water a political organisation? Or are you there to protect the interests of the people who drink your water?

2)
In your second sentence you are saying something I think very few people would criticise you for. But you are not saying whether you find GAS MINING and FRACKING in Geelong’s farmland something which is “detrimental to the region’s water resources”.
I would very much like to know what your stand is on fracking, in reference to the presentations which citizens of Geelongs were listening to at a public meeting about fracking in mid-December – (you can read quotes and listen to the speeches here: http://climatesafety.info/?p=5700 )
Who will decide whether the fracking in our region is “detrimental to the region’s water resources”? Will Barwon Water make its own independent research and investigation? Or will you leave that up to the Victorian Government to decide?
As you most likely know, but can’t talk about, is that what we are up against here is those assurances from government sources, politicians or from the gas industry itself are absolutely worthless.
Professor Anthony Ingraffea says “6 percent of the pipes fail immidiately. 60 percent fail after 20 years. And they all fail eventually.”
“So when we get the spin from this industry telling us that it is all safe and we are looking after you, we know that that is lying. That is not true.”
Quote: Ian Gaillard, Lock the Gate Northern Rivers

So, summing up, or to refrase the question: I’d be very pleased if you could let me know more in detail HOW you expect to find out about whether the gas mining in our region is “detrimental to the region’s water resources” – and also WHEN you expect this to be determined. As you might have heard, gas mining companies are moving in in the beginning of 2014 to start the drilling… so you if you are serious about your objection to any proposal deemed detrimental to the region’s water resources, you don’t have that much time any longer to make up your mind about it.

Looking forward to hear and learn more.”

We are waiting for a response from Barwon Water.