Mod 2 - Extension of Time

Pure,fresh water is one of the most precious commodities we have in Australia. Over time it has also proved to be one of our most limited resources. Good planning has provided Sydney with a wonderful catchment and dams to supply an ever growing population with its needs. The opportunity to build new dams if something threatens this supply is simply not there. NOTHING should be allowed to jeopardise the supply or the quality of Sydney's water.

Gas can be found elsewhere in NSW and Australia. It can be piped long distances from a remote source. Despite provisions being made to ensure drilling and extraction is done with the best of intentions we all know that things can go wrong at times- we can't take this risk.

The Department of Planning must put the long term protection of our water supply above gas mining. Please reject this proposal.

Please do not allow any drilling or fracking in any drinking water catchment in NSW. The dangers of CSG are well known and thus it (CSG) and drnking water are mutually exclusive activities

Please register my strong objection to CSG drilling in the illawarra and Sydney Water supply catchment areas. The reasons for my objection are are as follows:
-Sydney has only limited supplies of drinking water,. These must be preserved for all future generation and not put at risk for short term private gain.
-This proposal represents a private financial gain and at the same time is a potentially catastrophic risk to an essential public asset. This is a clear transfer of risk to the public while an assett that currently belongs to the public (the gas) is transferred to private ownership.
- The environmental risk of CSG has been repeatedly demonstrated to be real and once the damage to waterways is done, there is no way to repair it.
- No comprehensive environmental risk assessment can be carried out while the exact chemical makeup of the 'MUD" remains secret.
- A Risk Matrix for this type of project in the proposed area would clearly show that the potential damage to Sydneys Water catchment far outweighs any potential commercial gain.
- The multiplier effect of toxic chemical water contamination will include many industries such as agriculture, tourism, real estate. Contamination will spread to include such diverse groups as residents, aquatic life, plant life, water consumers in the entire Sydney Basin, local and state governments (reacting to disaster is the role of these agencies/rate bases will be affected).
- Any rational assessment of the proposal will demnstrate that the economic downside far exceeds the limited economic gain.
- There are many viable gas fields located in less sensitive areas.
- This is an extremely sensitive proposal that requires true community leadership. C'mon Barry grow some Balls!

This is a terrible idea - we cannot risk Sydney's water supply by drilling coal seam gas wells right in the middle of the catchment area.

Furthermore, this development poses a threat to the remaining patches of native bush in the greater Sydney area.

This applications must be rejected, to protect the integrity of the native bushland in which these wells would be sited, and to protect Sydney's water supply.

Please register my strong objection to CSG drilling in the Illawarra and Sydney Water supply catchment areas. The reasons for my objection are as follows:
-Sydney has only limited supplies of drinking water. These must be preserved for all future generation and not put at risk for short term private gain.
-This proposal represents a private financial gain and at the same time is a potentially catastrophic risk to an essential public asset. This is a clear transfer of risk to the public while an assett that currently belongs to the public (the gas) is transferred to private ownership.
- The environmental risk of CSG has been repeatedly demonstrated to be real and once the damage to waterways is done, there is no way to repair it.
- No comprehensive environmental risk assessment can be carried out while the exact chemical makeup of the 'MUD" remains secret.
- A Risk Matrix for this type of project in the proposed area would clearly show that the potential damage to Sydneys Water catchment far outweighs any potential commercial gain.
- The multiplier effect of toxic chemical water contamination will include many industries such as agriculture, tourism, real estate. Contamination will spread to include such diverse groups as residents, aquatic life, plant life, water consumers in the entire Sydney Basin, local and state governments (reacting to disaster is the role of these agencies/rate bases will be affected).
- Any rational assessment of the proposal will demonstrate that the economic downside far exceeds the limited economic gain.
- There are many viable gas fields located in less sensitive areas.

The precautionary principle MUST be applied to this project. The irreversible critical risks to water must be taken into account. Until the science and regulation regarding Coal Seam Gas in NSW catches up with business all such projects must be put on hold.

This project is not in the long term best interests of NSW.

The scientific consensus regarding climate change must be taken into account. The long term macro-economic costs of inaction outweigh the cost of action on this issue. We must be evolving towards a economy based on renewable energy. Switching towards an economy based upon another fossil fuel is not a 'solution'.

This project will have negative impacts on fauna and flora.

It is economically, socially and environmentally irresponsible for this project to be approved.

Point 1.
The Illawarra Escarpment is a high risk bush fire area, exacerbated by its highly combustible peat base.
August 2012 a bush fire burnt through AI09 and AI10 in this project. Extracting and piping gas in this environment will increase fire risks.

Point 2.
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.

Point 3.
The drinking water catchment is unsuitable for CSG exploration and production.

Point 4.
There is widespread public opposition to CSG exploration and mining in the area. This includes a public petition of over 30,000 signatures and formal votes against CSG mining by local councils.

I am deeply distressed that Apex Energy are planning to drill 150 coal seam gas (CSG) wells in Sydney's water supply catchment between Wollongong and Sydney.

CSG must be put on pause in NSW until the science and regulation catches up.

Please don't shirk your responsibilities to the next generation! It's not worth the risk until we know more!

I object to the proposed extenstion beyond 22 September 2012. Testing in the subject area may lead to full production and this cannot be tollerated in water catchments and wildlife habit when the negative impacts are not (and cannot be) fully known. Please exercise the precautionary principle as called up by the EP&A Act and reject the proposed extension so that all testing and production dwelling can cease.

This proposal is dangerous to the environment and locals. CSG must be put on pause in NSW until the science and regulation catches up.

See attached

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.

Dear sir/madam,

Apex Energy has lodged a modification to their currently frozen coal seam gas development approval in the Illawarra. They have applied to extend drilling deadlines to "three years from commencement of drilling of the first bore hole" for 16 wells spanning two drinking water catchments (Woronora and Nepean).

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.

For all these reasons, the permission sought by Apex Energy to modify their Coal Seam Gas developments in the Illawarra must not be granted.

Yours sincerely
Vincent Bicego

Please add my name to the list of protesters against the request by Apex to extend their time for Coal Seam Gas exploration.

I stongly disagree to the 3 year extension for Apex Energy Coal Seam /gas Entitlements.

I strongly disagree to the continuation for the further 3 years for Coal Seam Gas Entitlements for Apex Energy

I strongly disagree to the extension for a further 3 years for Coal Seam Gas Entitlements with Apex Energy

I strongly disagree for Apex Energy to have a 3 year extension to their Coal Seam Gas entitlements in our local community

CSG mining is harmful in every respect. It uses too much water, pollutes the water and the land, is a danger to health. The damage it does is uncontrollable and irreversible. Once drilled the holes leak. This has been proven in every location around the world where it has been practised. It is a scandal that we are still forced to discuss this in a country that is plagued by drought and bushfires. I can't water my vegies but Apex & Co can take all the water and ruin our immediate environment. The cost of this is unforeseeable, even the miners in this area are against it. Let alone that this is a watercatchment area. if I walk near it I get fined thousands $$$ but multinationals do as they like? Barry O Farrel gave his promise! How far do you think you can go? if you pass permission you better gear up for a long long protest.

CSG mining is another name for destroying our precious resources and making us all sick. Who cares how many jobs it will create when it makes people sick. Just looking at the wells in Queensland from the air is shocking: it's not just the wells they dig they destroy hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of land with transport and infra structure. The mere suggestion is an insult to citizen's intelligence and conscience. Barry O Farrel promises one thing and then does another.
People around here from all parties and backgrounds will not tolerate this.