Mod 2 - Extension of Time

I oppose granting the extension of activities to APEX Energy for the following reasons:

1. The area of the Illawarra upper escarpment is completely unsuited to CSG mining consisting almost entirely of SWA drinking water catchment "Special Areas" and dams, National Parks and other environmental preservation or conservation areas. It is also a high risk bush fire area which is exacerbated by its highly combustible peat base: This months bush fire ran through and burnt out APEX drill sites 9 and 10. This is a unique and highly sensitive upland swamp area, whilst production CSG mining is an extensive and environmentally invasive industrial activity that will result in 150+ well pads and associated above ground infrastructure on the escarpment. This activity will permanently damage and or change the ecology.

2. The risks of CSG mining are now well documented (especially those relating to water contamination) and current NSW CSG control legislation acknowledged as inadequate for managing this risk - The NSW Premier reconfirmed this only yesterday in his interview with Alan Jones. The revised NSW Government regulatory framework has yet to be released and it would be improper to proceed prior to APEX being assessed against these requirements.

3. The area is already under threat from massive coal mine expansion using long wall mining technologies. I understand that in the case of the Gujurat mine at Bulli the scale is 10x and at the Helensburgh Colliery 3x. There Warratah rivulet near Helensburgh that feed the Woronora dam has already subsided and gone underground as a result of Long Wall mining at the Metropolitain coal mine and 18 months of remedial work has failed to resolve the problem. Therefore the risks associated with CSG mining are being layered on top of the existing impact of extensive coal mining in the area - with no combined impact study yet undertaken!.

4. The applicants (APEX Energy) have already shown their incompetence and unsuitability by allowing a PEL to lapse through default, as a result of an "administrative oversite" What if the result of the next "oversight" is contamination or fire in our catchment, or environmental conservation areas?
The lapsed PEL cancels all current APEX CSG approvals therefore, at the very least, no consideration should be given to extensions or any other type of approval for APEX until this matter is resolved

5. There is widespread public opposition to CSG mining in the area. This includes a public petition of around 20,000 signatures delivered to the Premier, formal votes against CSG mining by 4 local councils (Wollongong, Wollondilly, Cambletown and Sutherland), and at least 2 local state MP ( Lee Evans and Ryan Park). Major concerns exist around the original approvals forced through by the previous Labour government under part 3A of the NSW planning Act , which bypasses many of the usual and expected environmental and public consultation processes. I am very concerned by the absence of independent research into the environmental impact of CSG in such a vital area of water supply ( let alone the combined impact of CSG and mining) and the lack of pubic consultation: Specifically APEX Energy did not enter into public consultation before its initial drilling at Darkes Forest, nor earlier this year before drilling within the Warragamba water catchment at Oakdale - this shows total a lack of respect for due process and pubic opinion .

6. Any decision to extend, renew, or other wise approve new activities inand around the water catchments flies in the face of commitments made by The Premier of NSW ( Barry O'Farrell that there shall be no mining ( including CSG mining) in our water catchments ' NO IFS, NO BUTS!"

Yours faithfully

Peter Townsley

I believe that development must always be considered in the context of the surrounding area. This can change over time. Given this, a modification for an indefinite start date is irresponsible.

The risks of CSG mining are well evidenced and the Premier has acknowledged that the current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the industry. In this context, no new applications or modifications should be approved and existing projects should be cancelled.

A drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."

The development of this coal seam gas project is being layered on top of extensive coal mining and a fault line, without an assessment of the combined impacts.

There is widespread public opposition to CSG exploration and mining in the area. This includes a public petition of over 30,000 signatures, formal votes against CSG mining by local councils and two actions opposing CSG development attended by over 3,000 people each.

This environment and people damaging industry must not be allowed to gain a foothold in NSW.

I object to this application. Consents for applications normally have a specified validity period, for good reason, and there is no reason to make an exception in this case.

In any case, I share the public opposition to allowing coal seam gas extraction in the areas covered by this application. In particular, drinking water catchment areas are unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."

Additionally, bushfire prone areas are unsuitable for coal seam gas extraction. A bushfire ripped through this site only last month (August 2012). Fire risk will be increased by siting coal seam gas operations here.

Finally, the scientific debate on the total carbon emissions of coal seam gas is ongoing, and there is increasing evidence that fugitive emissions from many coal seam gas operations are high enough that the total carbon emissions are higher than many black coal mines. Surely it is irresponsible to approve coal seam gas mining operations anywhere unless and until it is conclusively demonstrated that substantial reductions in carbon emissions vis a vis coal mining can be reliably achieved, and the onus is placed on coal seam gas miners to achieve those reductions in their operations.

For all these reasons, I do not think the application should be approved.

My husband Keith Horton shares these concerns, and would like to be included as a person making a submission that objects to the application.

Yours truly,

Please do not let these gas companies ruin our environment, our drinking water, our life.
We have spoilt this land enough with our greed. It is disgracefull what we have done. Stop now. !!!

Notwithstanding the attached submission, I do not believe that it can be justified legally or otherwise, to allow this type of industry to operate within protected environments, along side farming or water areas, in national parks or other, and this comment is precedented the world over where this industry occurs. Further, all SEE's produced by the developer are paid for by the developer and therefore, can not be relied upon as giving an independant view in the interests of the state and its communities.

This application proposes to drill for CSG in the Sydney water catchment. This is not supported by evidence that it will not harm the drinnking water of millions of Australians. Please do not approve this until you have unbiased categorical evidence that it will do no harm to the environment or drinking water.

Please reject the Apex application. This exploration endangers both the water catchment and valuable farmland and orchards.

I am in despair over the failure of government to protect us.

Please think of the public interest. There is no reason to allow this application. It is within the power of government to refuse it, and it should be refused. We elect governments to represent all citizens not just business, and in this case the public interest outweighs the private.

The idea of drilling for gas in water catchment areas is obscene.When is these governments going to start looking after their public rather than their own political welfare.
No more. This will cost someone their seat in parliment.

Water catchment areas should be free of any mining especilally coal seam gas mining which poses immense environmental problems. Apex Energy NL should not be allowed an additional three years to complete drilling of its approved extraction boreholes because of the environmental impact this will have on our water catchment area.

To the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure,

I, like most of the Illawarra community, am strongly opposed to the extension of the Apex/Ormil project to drill for coal seam gas in the Woronora and Nepean catchments. This is clearly a move to gain unlimited time to begin drilling and wait for the community opposition to tire.

I already have concerns about the amount of mining occurring in this area and subsequent environmental issues. To allow this project to also occur is madness, and clearly breaking the Premiers promise to not allow mining in any water catchment areas.

There is mounting evidence into to health and environmental risks of CSG mining, and the government has acknowledged that current legislation cannot properly manage the growth of this industry. You simply cannot allow it to develop without a full and impartial investigation into the impacts of CSG mining, to do otherwise would be reckless.

The concerns of the community are valid and reasonable, halt the development of the industry until all the risks are known and mitigated. To risk our precious water supply on an arid country is ridiculous and irresponsible. I urge you not to grant this extension to Apex energy and listen to the people of NSW not just wealthy companies, for the sake of democracy.

Yours truly,

Justin McKinnon.

Some of the issues you may wish to consider in your submission:
1.Development must always be considered in the context of the surrounding area. This can change over time. Given this, a modification for an indefinite start date is irresponsible.
2.The risks of CSG mining are well evidenced and the Premier has acknowledged that the current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the industry. In this context, no new applications or modifications should be approved and existing projects should be frozen, to conduct an investigation into the full impacts of CSG development.
3.The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."
4.The Illawarra Escarpment is a high risk bush fire area, exacerbated by its highly combustible peat base. Indeed, in August 2012 a bush fire burnt through AI09 and AI10 in this project. Extracting and piping gas in this environment will increase fire risks.
5.The development of this coal seam gas project is being layered on top of extensive coal mining and a fault line, without an assessment of the combined impacts.
6.There is widespread public opposition to CSG exploration and mining in the area. This includes a public petition of over 30,000 signatures, formal votes against CSG mining by local councils and two actions opposing CSG development attended by over 3,000 people each

I oppose any CSG mining in the whole of NSW. CSG extraction has not been proven to be safe, and until such time as it is, I will continue to oppose it.

3.The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."

The area that Apex Gas Exploration intends to drill exploratory boreholes is an extremely environmentally sensitive area. There is risk to our water catchement, there will be destruction to the environment due to land clearing and the boreholes will increase the bushfire risk due to leaking methane. area. The considerable community opposition has demonstrated that Apex has not been able to convince residents that the project is safe and/or desirable and it should not be allowed to continue.

I object in the strongest terms to any extension of the exploration licence. This proposal needs to remain frozen permanently. I cannot understand how any government could have so little regard for the health and welfare of its citizens to allow drilling and its associated contamination in a restricted designated water catchment area. There is ample documented evidence of the risks this activity poses and there is strong consistent evidence of community opposition to any extension of coal seam gas exploration and mining and the government needs to give these community concerns their attention and protect the water supply.

Please do not give these companys the right to destroy our land and water. These things are irreplaceable once damaged & they are things that humans can not survive without. What could possibly be more important than protecting the land that grows our food & the water we drink not to mention the beautiful environment that we all enjoy. Money, politics or any other reason can not be more important. If this is approved the person approving it should be publicly named so they can be shamed. I dont know how the people wanting & approving this project sleep at night. PLESAE DO NOT APPROVE THIS. WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT OWE THESE MINING COMPANYS. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING OUR LAND & WATER!!!

Sir/Madam, I would plead that this extension is not granted,
this government is responsible for our future water resources as well as future energy resources, by taking the time and waiting for the scientific community to secure a safe and reliable way to access CSG these resources can be protected, by issuing extensions such as this one it only protects the developer.
1.Development must always be considered in the context of the surrounding area. This can change over time. Given this, a modification for an indefinite start date is irresponsible.
2.The risks of CSG mining are well evidenced and the Premier has acknowledged that the current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the industry. In this context, no new applications or modifications should be approved and existing projects should be frozen, to conduct an investigation into the full impacts of CSG development.
3.The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production. Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell: "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."
4.The Illawarra Escarpment is a high risk bush fire area, exacerbated by its highly combustible peat base. Indeed, in August 2012 a bush fire burnt through AI09 and AI10 in this project. Extracting and piping gas in this environment will increase fire risks.
5.The development of this coal seam gas project is being layered on top of extensive coal mining and a fault line, without an assessment of the combined impacts.
6.There is widespread public opposition to CSG exploration and mining in the area. This includes a public petition of over 30,000 signatures, formal votes against CSG mining by local councils and two actions opposing CSG development attended by over 3,000 people each.
sincerely yours, Roger S.A.Corben

Please do not approve this application. Some of the drilling will be in water catchment areas. Today in the newspaper, even the CSIRO couldn't say how polluted CSG drilling could be, but it could potentially pollute drinking water for hundreds of years.

Clean drinking water is ultimately far more precious than gas and the associated jobs.

I oppose granting the extension of activities to APEX Energy for the following reasons:

1. The area of the Illawarra upper escarpment is completely unsuited to CSG mining consisting almost entirely of SWA drinking water catchment "Special Areas" and dams, National Parks and other environmental preservation or conservation areas. It is also a high risk bush fire area which is exacerbated by its highly combustible peat base: This months bush fire ran through and burnt out APEX drill sites 9 and 10. This is a unique and highly sensitive upland swamp area, whilst production CSG mining is an extensive and environmentally invasive industrial activity that will result in 150+ well pads and associated above ground infrastructure on the escarpment. This activity will permanently damage and or change the ecology.

2. The risks of CSG mining are now well documented (especially those relating to water contamination) and current NSW CSG control legislation acknowledged as inadequate for managing this risk - The NSW Premier reconfirmed this only yesterday in his interview with Alan Jones. The revised NSW Government regulatory framework has yet to be released and it would be improper to proceed prior to APEX being assessed against these requirements.

3. The area is already under threat from massive coal mine expansion using long wall mining technologies. I understand that in the case of the Gujurat mine at Bulli the scale is 10x and at the Helensburgh Colliery 3x. There Warratah rivulet near Helensburgh that feed the Woronora dam has already subsided and gone underground as a result of Long Wall mining at the Metropolitain coal mine and 18 months of remedial work has failed to resolve the problem. Therefore the risks associated with CSG mining are being layered on top of the existing impact of extensive coal mining in the area - with no combined impact study yet undertaken!.

4. The applicants (APEX Energy) have already shown their incompetence and unsuitability by allowing a PEL to lapse through default, as a result of an "administrative oversite" What if the result of the next "oversight" is contamination or fire in our catchment, or environmental conservation areas?
The lapsed PEL cancels all current APEX CSG approvals therefore, at the very least, no consideration should be given to extensions or any other type of approval for APEX until this matter is resolved

5. There is widespread public opposition to CSG mining in the area. This includes a public petition of around 20,000 signatures delivered to the Premier, formal votes against CSG mining by 4 local councils (Wollongong, Wollondilly, Cambletown and Sutherland), and at least 2 local state MP ( Lee Evans and Ryan Park). Major concerns exist around the original approvals forced through by the previous Labour government under part 3A of the NSW planning Act , which bypasses many of the usual and expected environmental and public consultation processes. I am very concerned by the absence of independent research into the environmental impact of CSG in such a vital area of water supply ( let alone the combined impact of CSG and mining) and the lack of pubic consultation: Specifically APEX Energy did not enter into public consultation before its initial drilling at Darkes Forest, nor earlier this year before drilling within the Warragamba water catchment at Oakdale - this shows total a lack of respect for due process and pubic opinion .

6. Any decision to extend, renew, or other wise approve new activities inand around the water catchments flies in the face of commitments made by The Premier of NSW ( Barry O'Farrell that there shall be no mining ( including CSG mining) in our water catchments ' NO IFS, NO BUTS!"

Yours faithfully
Michael O' Brien

Allowing this development to go ahead contradicts the pre-election promise from Barry O'Farrell in which he said "The next Liberal/National Government will ensure that mining cannot occur... in any water catchment area, and will ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; no ifs, no buts, a guarantee."
It is unacceptable for this polluting industry to be allowed to develop in our water catchments.