Christchurch council seeks moratorium on fracking

11:04 pm on 26 January 2012

Christchurch City Council has written to the Government asking for a moratorium on the controversial mining process of hydraulic fracturing in the region.

Mayor Bob Parker says the process, commonly known as fracking, has caused concerns among the council and the community, and more information is needed about it.

He says there are a number of reports that connect fracking with earthquakes and the council wanted a moratorium on any decision until the community has had a chance to be briefed on the process.

Mr Parker says after the series of earthquakes in Canterbury, the last thing people want is technology that could have some kind of seismic side effect.