South Australia’s ban on fracking was meant to last another two years. But farmers, environmentalists and communities have expressed shock and dismay over laws that will open up the Limestone Coast for unconventional gas development, with some calling the move “deeply regrettable” and “environmentally disastrous”.A 10-year moratorium on unconventional gas was introduced by the Marshall Liberal government in 2018, in response to widespread community opposition to fracking in the south-east. A parliamentary inquiry concluded the industry had no social licence, while a survey found 95% of people wanted their region to remain gasfield free.But on Thursday the Labor premier, Peter Malinauskas, revealed plans to overturn the ban two years early, with laws set to be introduced to the state parliament this week.Pete Bissell, from the Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council, described the government’s decision as “extremely disappointing” and a broken promise.“Fracking is not the answer here. Elsewhere in Australia, it has led only to short-term gains accompanied by fast depletion rates on gas wells,” he said. “To jeopardise the sustainable farming future of the region, for projects of this kind, is deeply regrettable.”The Limestone Coast region, which stretches between the Victorian border and the SA coast, is prime agricultural land. It produces 83% of Australia’s lucerne, half of the state’s dairy and potatoes, and nearly a third of its wine grapes. It is also home to the world heritage listed Naracoorte caves, and nationally significant wetlands including the Coorong national park and Piccaninnie ponds.An underwater view of the aquatic plants lining Ewens ponds, near Mount Gambier. Photograph: Brook MitchellPrimary producers and communities in the region rely heavily on ancient groundwater aquifers, which have been in consistent decline since 1993. Risks to this natural resource are consistently raised as a concern in relation to fracking activity.The current embargo on hydraulic fracture stimulation, a method of gas extraction more commonly known as fracking, is applied across seven local government areas: Mount Gambier, Naracoorte Lucindale, Grant, Tatiara, Kingston, Wattle Range and Robe.