Mod 2 - Extension of Time

I would like to see a ban on coal seam gas exploration or development in this area.

The development of this resource is entirely in the interests of the gas companies and entirely against the interests of the owners of the gas, ie: the people of Australia.

My reasons are as follows:

1. the current technology carries an unacceptable risk to water and soil. Given the likely consequences of soil and / or water contamination, even a very small likelihood of contamination is unacceptable. We can live without this gas. We cannot live without our water and soil resources. Therefore, the security of our water and soil resources MUST take priority over gas exploration and development.
2. The gas is a non-renewable resource owned by the people of Australia. Once extracted, it will not be available for future use. As this is a "one-opportunity" resource, we should be absolutely sure that we are making the best possible use of it. Selling it overseas to be burned hardly counts as appropriate use.
3. Resource extraction companies have a demonstrated track-record of acting only in their own interests. Currently, legislation is not strong enough to hold them in check and protect the interests of the resources' owners. Before we can consider allowing our mineral and fossil-fuel resources to be extracted and sold, wee must be sure that our interests are being protected. Currently this is not the case.
4. Fossil-fuel and mineral resources will not deteriorate in quality if they are left in the ground. There is no rush to develop them - except as far as the mining companies are concerned. Therefore, there is plenty of time for better technologies to be developed, and we should wait until this has happened before reviewing the situation.

The only appropriate course of action at this time is a ban on coal seam gas exploration or development in this area.

The development of this resource is entirely in the interests of the gas companies and entirely against the interests of the owners of the gas, ie: the people of Australia.

My reasons are as follows:

1. the current technology carries an unacceptable risk to water and soil. Given the dire consequences of soil and / or water contamination, even a very small likelihood of contamination is unacceptable. We can live without this gas. We cannot live without our water and soil resources. Therefore, the security of our water and soil resources MUST take priority over gas exploration and development.
2. The gas is a non-renewable resource owned by the people of Australia. Once extracted, it will not be available for future use. As this is a "one-opportunity" resource, we should be absolutely sure that we are making the best possible use of it. Selling it overseas to be burned hardly counts as appropriate use.
3. Resource extraction companies have a demonstrated track-record of acting only in their own interests. Currently, legislation is not strong enough to hold them in check and protect the interests of the resources' owners. Before we can consider allowing our mineral and fossil-fuel resources to be extracted and sold, we must be sure that our long-term interests are being protected. Currently this is not the case.
4. Fossil-fuel and mineral resources will not deteriorate in quality if they are left in the ground. There is no rush to develop them - except as far as the mining companies are concerned. Therefore, there is plenty of time for better technologies to be developed, and we should wait until this has happened before reviewing the situation.

Election of this government and our current local member was on the basis that in this area proposed development of CSG would be reviewed especially because of water catchment and environmental concerns.

These concerns now appear to be being disregarded. No new developments in the science of gas extraction has, in the interim, proven our environment and water will be safe.

I expect the NSW Government to meet the serious commitment made by the Premier, Mr Barry O'Farrell, prior to the 2011 State Election that, if elected, that his government would ensure that mining will not occur in any water catchment area, and would ensure that mining leases and mining exploration permits reflect that common sense; "no ifs, no buts, a guarantee". It is too late now to renege on that promise.

The disastrous outcomes from CSG mining in other parts of the world, especially in the USA, MUST count for something !

The citizens of New South Wales deserve, at the very least, a complete moratorium on CSG mining and the granting of exploration licences for CSG until comprehensive scientific research has been carried out, by independent bodies, on the full impact of CSG mining.

The Illawarra is a proven bushfire area and it is common knowledge that CSG mining causes the random release of methane gas. Is the NSW Government prepared to allow the addition of methane gas to the inferno of a bushfire, and so close to Sydney ? The answer has to be "no", no "ifs", no "buts".

Finally, any government has the responsibility to the citizens of the future to ensure that their water supplies remain untainted. The granting of CSG licences will compromise the quality of water in the catchment areas forever.

This is a submission opposing Apex Energy application to extend drilling deadlines for 16 wells spanning two drinking water catchments (Woronora and Nepean). Allowing such a modification for an indefinite start date is irresponsible.

The risks of CSG mining are well evidenced and current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the industry.

Existing projects should be frozen, to conduct an investigation into the full impacts of CSG development. Meanwhile no new applications or modifications should be approved.
The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production.

The Illawarra Escarpment is a high-risk bush fire area. Extracting and piping gas in this environment will increase fire risks.

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 and resident's concerns should be addressed properly.

I would like to strongly petition against the request for extension in the Apex Gas Exploration Project.

I, and many of my friends and colleagues, are deeply concerned by the risks that CSG mining poses from an environmental and public health perspective. While the science is still non-conclusive, there is a growing body of evidence pointing to the severe detrimental effects of CSG mining on water catchments and on the health of locals. In Australia, we simply cannot afford any risk to our water catchments.

Further to this, I am conscious that the Premier has acknowledged the inadequacies of current development and approval legislation, and so it would be entirely inappropriate to grant a licence for development in this legislative context.

You will of course already be aware of the sustained and significant public outcry both in the Illawarra region and more broadly in Sydney concerning this project - this alone should be compelling in its case to not allow the development application to go through.

I strongly oppose this development, and vigorously encourage you to reject it in its entirety.

I strongly object to the extension of the APEX CSG entitlements in the Illawarra area. I believe that this is a serious and irreversible process that clearly causes long term environmental damage. This proposed extension is the thin edge of the wedge and has not included comprehensive community consultation in its process.

This is a beautiful natural environment that has already has had a large impact from coal mining on our fragile escarpment areas and is still affected by the regular coal dust from the coke trains.
The CSG industry even in an exploratory phase poses great environmental damage to our community, pristine natural bushland, the sandstone geology and our drinking water.

Surely water is our most precious resource and should never be compromised for short term financial gain. The Premier gave a loud and clear pre election commitment to NO CSG mining in water catchment areas. Has he forgotten this so quickly? I am profoundly concerned that our water supply may be affected by saline run off and chemicals from future drilling and fracking. Water is our greatest resource and we need to ensure that NO CSG exploration, drilling or mining occurs anywhere near catchment areas, prime agricultural land and environmentally sensitive areas.

Drilling exploration leads to roads and infrastructure and many well pads covering extensive areas with minimal surveillance.The additional risks include methane gas escaping and increasing an already high bushfire risk, loss of wildlife and houses. It is a dangerous practice using toxic chemicals and affecting our land, air and water supply.

This community has made itself very clear that it wants NO COAL SEAM GAS - it is a threat to our children, our lifestyle, our environment, our air, water, natural bushland and our collective future. We cannot compromise our most valuable natural resources. The Premier and Department of Planning and local authorities are duty bound to protect our environments and water supply.

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 frozen, to conduct an investigation into the full impacts of CSG development.
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 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.
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.

I object very strongly to coal seam gas exploration before a scientific assessment deems it safe. How could you open all land to be potentially used for mining when it is clear that mining and potable water and arable growing land do not mix .

CSG is unacceptable to the community, CSG is unecceptable for generations to come, it is a polluter and is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production and unsuitable for the drinking catchment areas and elsewhere.Their is strong public oppostion and petition drawing up negative lines against it. and I am strongly opposed to it myself. This is regarded as an uneccessary mining and extraction for gas or forcing something out of the ground which should and is meant to stay in their, drilling and nothing but leaving waiste and chemicals behind. The oil and gas in the ground is a must to sustain earth activity and prevent earthquakes, they are like suspension on a motor vehicle. just Figure like the NBN what a waiste, no one asked for it, no one needed it, no one wanted it,no one wanted to pay for for it, so why did they go ahead do it.
The drinking water catchment is unsuitable and a no go zone 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." Lets test and see if a politician can tell the straight truth for once, See if the Government work for thi speople of this nation or just for themselves and have it backed up with dignity.

I object to the development of CSG extraction in Australia, and particularly in water catchment areas serving large populations as it presents serious risks to subterranean and surface water bodies.

I therefore request that the licences in the Illawarra not be renewed.

I wish to object to this development on the grounds that I do not believe that current understanding of CSG exploration and mining proceses is sufficient to guarantee that damage to agricultural land and water supplies will not occur.

to allow csg mining/exploration without independent comprehensive impact studies is socially & environmentally irresponsible. possibly criminal.
in my book, the measure of a man is his word & under this criteria mr o farrel is microscopic

Objection to any CSG activity in the project area based on sancitity of drinking water that is more valuable than CSG, and on unacceptible risks to bothwater and upland swamps. See attached

Having seen the previous NSW Labor government be a servant for the interests of the mining industry in granting CSG exploration permits in water catchments, I took on good faith the promise from Barry O'Farrell that "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." and voted accordingly. Clearly, this was a cynical lie given the Strategic Regional Land Use Policy released last Tuesday. I now give the O'Farrell government my commitment that I will with ` no ifs and no buts' to do all I can to rally opposition to CSG mining in the Illawarra water catchments, until there is a thorough investigation based on scientific evidence that shows that the risks of CSG mining to the water catchments are minimal.

I strongly object to any gas exploration in the water catchment areas for the following reasons:
Damage to sandstone geology
Contamination to our drinking water
Fire hazard
Threat to the wildlife corridors
I ask the Government to say NO to mining in water catchment areas.
A Governemt that would say yes is NOT a government I would support in any way.

I would like to express my absolute dismay at the governments total lack of concern for the environment and residents of the northern Illawarra and other areas of the state with the latest news on CSG. My faith in the Liberal government has been completely destroyed. I was always a supporter and pleased when labour was ousted. I will never support a government that is not true to the people who elected it and sells out as you are now doing. How can you allow CSG exploration on land that the public where the public would be prosecuted if we just walked there !
There are already concerns that current mining in the area has undermined the water catchment to Woronora Dam and two years of work pumping sealants into the ground to remediate the damage have still not suceeded. How will the CSG works be protected from bush fires. Another disaster waiting to happen. Probably it wont happen in your reign but how do you want to be remembered. Stand up for the people who elected you or be just the same as the Labour mob you you replaced ?
I ask the Government to say NO to mining in water catchment areas.
A Governemt that would say yes is NOT a government I would support in any way.

Please register my objection to this petroleum mining

Warning ! this may make you think of your kids future, As an elected member,thank you for at least trying to improve our community,I know even the best of us do get things wrong from time to time,if respect and true communitiy values of (of which you were elected to do be me!)hold dear to you,please revise this policy on CSG minning ,don`t mine in our catchment,preserve our farms put simply, do we actually have any brains on this matter!,or is this just somthing we use to have when our true parlementry system worked to advance Australia and not as from myself and my current work/family relations see it as your game and our lives.
It`s quite clear that listening to your community on this matter has been filtered by the infuence of overseas and local vesed interests.
On ANZAC day, ask a VET what he was fighting for and what his mate`s died for $$ or our land , kids future health and happines?
Thank`s for sharing this with your family.
Andrew.

This is a complete turn around on your mandate to govern NSW. You are putting future generations of Australians in jepody. Water is a precious commodity, this application puts that in high danger of contamination, one only has to see what has happened in Queensland and the USA to beware of how precarious such applications are on the environment. A rethink is imperative.