In a big win for people power, water safety and environmentalism, 16 planned coal seam gas wells will not be built after the Planning Assessment Commission disapproved the projects.

Stop CSG Illawarra spokesperson Jess Moore said; "It is the result of the extraordinary and tireless efforts of so many in the Illawarra community. It is the result of a powerful community campaign that has brought people together to stand up for what's right... this is huge win for the campaign to stop CSG and protect our water.”

Stop CSG Illawarra has been campaigning against the project since 2011, at one point threatening to physically blockade the site if the NSW Government refused to intervene. The 16-well project by Apex Energy was first approved in 2009, that approval expired after three years and now the anti-CSG group have successfully blocked its reinstatement.

The Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) is an independent body that was asked by NSW Planning to consider the extension. During the community consultation window PAC received an incredible 237 submissions, in which all but one spoke against the project, the only one in favour was the drill operator itself.

Communities were concerned the drinking water of 4.5 million people in New South Wales was put at risk by the proposed wells, to be located in drinking water catchment areas between Wollongong and Sydney.

In their report the PAC said; “The Commission has found it would be inappropriate to approve the proposed coal seam gas activities in Sydney’s drinking water catchment special areas while the NSW chief scientist and engineer’s review (requested by the NSW government) is underway; and before the government resulting policy conclusions are formulated.”

Ms Moore says, “The campaign to protect land and water — to put science before development — will continue.”

The PAC’s findings are available online.