Mod 2 - Extension of Time

Previoulsy the area within the water catchment of the upper Nepean which is part of the Metropolitan special area as defined in Sydney Cathcment Authorities Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management 2007 is an area that requires people entering the site to meet the following criteria:
Access is for an activity or purpose that will benefit the SCA's management of the Special Areas, Controlled Areas, water storages and other SCA managed land, or provide a broader public benefit
Access will not compromise the integrity, operation or management of any SCA infrastructure or catchment areas
Access will not:
lower the quantity of water in the water storages or catchments
lower the quality of surface and groundwater inflows to water storages or catchments
have a negative impact on the ecological integrity of the Special Areas.
I do not believe that a private company whose ultimate purpose is to make a profit will meet the above requirements during the lifespan of the mining project. I truly believe that if CSG which is a heavy industrial process is approved in a sensitive water catchment area it is a true sign of political madness wereby no weight is given to environment and social factors. Politicians need to look beyond the next voting polls and look at the long term viability of the region. Mines may last for 50years, water sources will last for millenia. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

I vehemently oppose any CSG operations that are planned anywhere within a 50km radius of where i live.
I would like my opposition to be considered before approving any application for development of CSG operations.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I strongly object to this application on the grounds below. Indeed it is my opinion any truly objective analysis of this application, without vested interest can only draw one conclusion:

1. Mr O'Farrell made an election promise:
"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."
To maintain nay sort of credibility with voters the premeir must live up to this promise.

2. The risks of CSG mining are well documented, a fact acknowledged by the premier. It is not acceptable for our local environment and the drinking water used by myself and my family to be endangered for the sake of profit for mining companies.

3. The local community opposition is widespread with council votes against the proposition as well as a public petition with over 30000 signatures. Democracy is not and should not be for sale for company profit. It is your duty to represent the local community.

4. As recently as last month (August 2012) a bush fire swept through AI09 and AI10 of this project. Gas extraction and piping in this area clearly presents increased risks to the environment, local residents and fire fighters at times of bush fire.

Clearly any decision to to progress with this application would be grossly irresponsible and contradict the wishes of the local community. I ask you to do the right thing for the people of the illawara and reject this proposal.

Sincerely,

Nick Callaghan

It is completely and wholly inappropriate for CSG mining to be given the go-ahead in this area. There are no excuses or reasons that are acceptable.

The oft touted argument that "It's just exploration" and production will require additional hurdles to leap simply doesn't wash. a) The Exploration Wells are bad enough and b) No company is going to invest in exploration without expecting to proceed to production so clearly the long term goal and plan of all involved is to move to production - a gas field populated with 150 - 200 wells, some within our drinking water catchment.

Does this government, and in particular the Premier have the remotest sense of morality or ethics? How is it possible that this project is even to be considered in light of the Premier's pre-election promise: "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."

I do not want to be sent a form reply letter in regard to this objection, assuring me that "checks and balances and due process are in place". I want the government to take this issue seriously, reject this modification, withdraw the licences themselves and start acting like the public servants (not mining servants) they are supposed to be.

I object to any CSG drilling within any water catchment area but especially SCA I have been a member of the panel for the last 4 years and no one was in favour of taking that risk it is an outrage it was approved in the first place. How could any government risk the permanent water supply for over 4 million people

I totally oppose all CSG exploration in the Warragamba catchment. Our water is simpty too precious a resource to gamble with for short term gain. Please reverse this decision.

Any approval of csg exploration at this stage is premature.
There is no certainty that the area or surrounding areas will not be totally devastated . The Illawarra , with its escarpments and narrow habitable band could easily be ruined by degradation of its forests and waterways.
Recent reports of visits to the USA regions where csg exploration and mining has been carried out tell of IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE to land and waterways.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PROOF THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN HERE WITHOUT STRICT CONTROL LAWS IN PLACE

Do NOT allow this to renew... the pre election promise was
"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."

I wish to object to this modification for the following reasons:
1. A detailed study needs to be undertaken on the amounts and frequency of leakeages of methane fron exploration and development wells prior to any drilling being undertaken
2.The cumulative effects of drilling,road development,clearing of bush for the required pipework and pumping facilities needs to be fully evaluated in respect of the potential contamination from run-off into water catchments in the Illawarra and elsewhere. This needs to be completed before any Coal Seam Gas Exploration or development is considered.
3.The proposed Coal Seam Gas activities in Illawarra's Water Catchment areas will lead to a substantial increase in bush-fire risk. Bush-fires in the area lead to Water Catchment contamination, as well as potential increased risk to property and life.
4. The proposal is in direct contravention of MR O'Farrell,s pre-election promise to prevent Coal Seam Gas activities in the State's Water Catchments.

An indefinite start date on work is an irresponsible proposal. Development must always be considered in the context of the surrounding area. This can change over time.

Moreover, the risks of CSG mining are well evidenced. CSG mining involves land clearing, gas leaks, contaminated water and industrial development. It draws water to the surface that is saline, contains methane and can contain toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals. Moreover, 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.

Furthermore, given the particular impacts and risks of CSG development, It should not be allowed in the drinking water catchment.. Indeed, 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." On December 1, 2011 he also told 2GB's Alan Jones: "In a December 1 interview, now NSW Premier, O'Farrell told 2GB's Alan Jones: "I don't intend to allow -- particularly after the drought we went through over a decade -- mining or any other activity to threaten water resources" and "[CSG] exploration licences have been granted, in some cases permission to mine has been granted, in areas, frankly, that should never ever have been on the list."

This project should never have been on the list.

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, posing risks to the catchment and homes.

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

Finally, 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.

CSG Mining must be stopped. Its' an old fossil fuel way of obtaining energy and is a risk to our source of life water. NSW objects to CSG mining...!!! Barry O'Farrell once again gives false promises. We need to question why other countries have banned this type of mining.!!! It's obvious a RISK.... THINK AUSTRALIA!

I object strongly to the proposal allowing ANY CSG mining activities to occur within Sydney Water Catchment. Surely the Premier and his government are out of their minds to consider such a thing. Our water (from Nepean) is still safe but are the 4million Sydney siders aware of the risks of contamination to their drinking water because of NSW government's dash for cash?

Dear Sir/Madam,

Our Association has a proven record of representing the views of the great majority of Stanwell Tops residents for many

years.

Residents have now received a letterboxed information pamphlet warning of the perils of proposed Coal Seam Gas (CSG)

drillings in our local Illawarra areas.

APEX Energy has applied for a 3 year extension to their Coal Seam Gas entitlements, due to expire on 22 September, 2012,

under Part 3A of the NSW Planning Act.
Part 3A was a widely-despised apparatus, and has been modified by the current Government.

We are APPALLED at the horrific implications for future generations if this current State Government yields to the proposals

for EXTENSIONS, and considers approval.

It was bad enough that the previous Labor State Government granted ill-conceived approval for test bores in our locality.

That Government was kicked out of office, but the stench lingers.

We are confident that we speak for the vast majority of residents, and STRONGLY OPPOSE any granting of such approvals in

these Water Catchment areas.

As you are certainly aware, there are many signs warning trespassers of an $11,000 fine for merely venturing into the

(DRINKING) Water Catchment areas (presumably for fear of water contamination impacts) - so how COULD any Government approve

CSG proposals, with their highly-controversial, long-term consequences to the HEALTH of millions of citizens.

Such health impacts could take many years before symptoms become identifiable, but the RISKS are totally unacceptable, and

AVOIDABLE.

It might even be the children of the PERPETRATORS who suffer the consequences.

We STRONGLY urge this State Government to REJECT and REFUSE granting these CSG extension proposals.

Regards
Alwyn Andrews (President)
Stanwell Tops Residents Awareness Association
PO Box 92
Helensburgh
NSW 2508

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.

CSG is totaly unacceptable... What about asking for an election to see if it should go ahead.. What about asking the general public of what they want.. Do you have plans in place when the water is contaminated? How far do you check the water underground for contamination? How do you know that by simply killing a small organism you could in fact be doing a whole lot of damage to the environment. Please answer the important questions of how this is managed with out just sending another pre-scripted letter to try to hood wink us. we want to know the facts... Of not what could happen but how you would fix something like Water.... once it's ruined.. Wake UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop thinking about greed and think for generations to come for Humans, Animals and Plant Life... ASK US FIRST!

I am totally opposed to coal seam gas exploration in the Illawarra, or anywhere there is danger to the aquifers and to farming or bushland.

The NSW Government promised at election there would be no gas drilling, and we believed him. Once the aquifers are contaminated, there is not going back, no cure, no more underground water. That's it.

We clearly must now concentrate on clean, renewable energy. The future of our country can be free of the dangers and pollution of gas and coal, all we need is a leader with vision and investments without greed, but with hope. I have just cancelled my account with AGL.

I object most strenuously to this application. There is no way this application should be approved - our community's land and water supplies are threatened by this proposed modification, and our community DOES NOT WANT THIS.
Please listen to our community and refuse this application. It is NOT viable, not wanted, not safe, and breaks a number of commitments to us by the current government.
WE DO NOT WANT CSG MINING HERE or ANYWHERE.
Stop this application while you can still retain some face with the public.

I strongly oppose The Apex Gas Exploration Project.

I find it obscene that CSG exploration, and by extension, drilling, can be considered within drinking water catchment areas. Any such exploration or mining in sensitive areas had better have strong, unquestionable scientific evidence of the safety of CSG practices before even being considered. Clearly that is not the case today, and it is entirely inappropriate to approve the extension in this proposal.

Please do not permit the Apex/Ormil CSG project development approval to be extended or issue this company with a new exploration license to replace the one that has already lapsed earlier this year.

The risks of CSG mining are well evidenced, however, to cover the facts in this submission would be futile as the real issue at hand isn't the lack of evidence pertaining to the various dangers associated with CSG projects.

Regardless, the premier has acknowledged that the current legislation is not adequate to manage development of the CSG 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.

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."

I am a member of the Illawarra community and I, along with the vast majority of the public, do not want CSG development in or anywhere near our important water catchments.

All developments must be banned until extensive, independent scientific research can confidently determine safe locations to carry out CSG extraction in New South Wales.

The informed public are worried for their environment and their health. This worry is not in any regard unfounded as you are surely aware. Please, listen to the people.

Sincerely,
Kayla Melbourne

Institute for Conservation Biology & Environmental Management
University of Wollongong, 2500