The Planning and Assessment Panel approved the latest borehole, in the Woronora water catchment land in Darkes Forest, on November 23.

The approval brings the number of Apex coal seam gas boreholes approved in Sydney Catchment Authority Special Area lands, which are crucial water catchment areas that are off limits to the public, to 11. The company has permission to drill 16 boreholes in total.

Sutherland Shire Environment Centre chairwoman Jenni Gormley said the latest approval of a borehole in the Woronora catchment was ‘‘preposterous’’.

‘‘The legislation which covers our drinking water catchment areas requires development to be either neutral or beneficial. This approval completely ignores this requirement.’’

Stop Coal Seam Gas Sutherland convener Phil Smith said the approval had resulted in ‘‘another poisonous hole in our water supply’’.

Mr Smith said the government had ignored the concerns of the community and Sydney Catchment Authority.

The campaign against drilling in catchment areas has also been supported by a veteran of the energy industry: former Caltex executive director Alan Lindsay.

Mr Lindsay said while he believed coal seam gas mining could be done safely in some areas, he did not understand why the government was approving drill sites in catchments.

‘‘I think the catchment needs to be looked after more carefully,’’ Mr Lindsay said.

‘‘I think the government needs to stand back and take a second look at this issue. We are not running out of gas, so why are we rushing into projects in such sensitive areas?’’

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