Christchurch declared fracking-free
SAM SACHDEVA Last updated 11:31 12/04/2012

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(Of the 44 replies to this subject all except for 1 reply congratulated the Council on their wise decision.)

Christchurch has been declared a fracking-free zone.

The Christchurch City Council unanimously voted to take a stance against the controversial mining practice at a meeting today.

Fracking - hydraulic fracturing - involves injecting chemicals into rocks to fracture them in an attempt to release oil and natural gas.

It has been banned in some countries after concerns over water and air pollution, and has been linked to earthquakes.

The Spreydon-Heathcote Community Board had asked the council to declare the city fracking-free because of concerns about the environmental impact and the quake claims.

Board member Paul McMahon said the council needed to take a stance against fracking as the Government had declined to intervene.

"What we're saying is, stick up for your local people, because central government isn't listening," he said.

Cr Barry Corbett said he was concerned about possible water contamination from chemicals related to the mining, as well as the possibility that fracking was related to seismic activity.

"I think it's very silly for us for one, to possibly affect our water with chemicals, and two, to possibly cause seismic issues," he said.

Councillors unanimously voted to declare the city fracking-free and to talk to Environment Canterbury about the issue.

They also voted 13 to one to call on other councils to declare their areas fracking-free.
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