NSW releases revamped CSG policy THE NSW government's revamped coal seam gas (CSG) policy will provide certainty for the state's future gas needs while protecting its water. THAT was the assurance given by state Resources and Energy Minister Anthony Roberts in releasing his long awaited tranche of reforms for the controversial industry on Thursday. He said the government had agreed with all 16 recommendations of NSW chief scientist Professor Mary O'Kane for tighter legislation and regulation. "We are unashamedly raising the standards," Mr Roberts told reporters in Sydney. It will deliver, not just certainty for the energy supply in NSW but certainty around protecting what's most important to us and that is our water and our agricultural land. Legislation will be introduced to cancel all 16 petroleum exploration licence applications while the government's freeze on new exploration licences will remain until October 2015. The government's Environment Protection Authority will be given extra powers to become the lead regulator for gas exploration and production. The impact of CSG projects on bore water networks will be more closely monitored and the information will be shared with affected communities. The state's three current CSG projects in Camden, Gloucester and Narrabri will be allowed to proceed, with the minister saying he expects them to meet the new higher standards. Mr Roberts said the new framework, to be developed in the coming months, will send a clear message to licence holders to lift their game. "If you don't meet our new standard, you don't just face the risk of losing your applications or titles, you will lose them," he said. Nationals leader and Deputy Premier Troy Grant, who joined Mr Roberts for the announcement, conceded the CSG industry might be a hard sell in seats held by the Nationals. "We don't shy away from that," he said. (CSG) is the most polarising subject matter that we have leading into this (March) election. The package of reforms also includes a compensation system for impacted stakeholders, including landholders and local communities. The Lock the Gate Alliance, a group opposed to coal seam gas mining, says while some progress has been made the government plan falls short of Professor O'Kane's recommendations as well as community expectations. Most notably, it does absolutely nothing to protect important areas within existing CSG licence areas. There are no new protections for water resources or farmlands," said spokeswoman Georgina Woods. This means it is still just open slather across existing licence areas for risky CSG mining. Ms Woods said there were no improved safeguards for human health and rural families would be forced to live just 200m from CSG wells. "The NSW government seems intent on using compensation to buy community support but they've done nothing to stop landholders and communities being forced into giving access against their will," she said. The NSW Business Chamber said the plan was an important step in addressing pricing and supply challenges, and ensuring the future competitiveness of industry and jobs. "Bringing on additional gas supply as quickly as possible is essential if NSW is to stay open for business, and the NSW government should be commended for developing a firm plan to ensure gas users can access the gas they need at competitive prices," the chamber said in a statement.