AGL will commence minor work in the Forbesdale area near Gloucester next week to close four legacy drill holes as part of its long-term strategy to safely rehabilitate past exploration activities. 

These holes were drilled more than 30 years ago as part of coal exploration programs that pre-date AGL’s presence in the area. 

Using a truck-mounted drilling rig, a team of expert engineers and drillers will close the four small drill holes over the next two weeks. This involves re-drilling the holes and cementing them from the bottom, to one and half metres below the surface. The land is then rehabilitated. 

AGL is undertaking this work to ensure legacy drill holes don’t pose any safety risks. 

Traffic movements to and from each drill hole location will be minimised, however water will need to be delivered to the sites for the drilling process. 

Residents in the Forbesdale area have been informed of this work by a recent letter box drop. 

“The community has previously expressed concern about legacy exploration holes in this area. We’re undertaking work to close these holes – even though they were drilled well before AGL commenced operations in the Gloucester area,” said Julie Delvecchio, Head of Community Relations at AGL. 

“At AGL we are committed to working side by the side the local community and ensuring all of our operations are conducted safely.”

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated renewable energy companies and is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has one of Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer bases. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is Australia's largest private owner and operator of renewable energy assets and is looking to further expand this position by exploring a suite of low emission and renewable energy generation development opportunities.