Narrabri Gas - Bibblewindi Exploration

It would be foolhardy, indeed even stupid to allow the Bibblewindi Gas Exploration Pilot Expansion. It is in an area that provides recharge for Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed. I ask, why is any drilling taking place at all, let alone an expansion being considered?

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have. Again, without this why is there any drilling at all? How can you be considering an expansion?

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral. What happened to the old adage "If in doubt, don't"? Once the damage is caused, what then? Santos won't care. It'll just stroll off after a paltry fine and an inadequate attempt at repair, all the while saying it is not to blame, leaving the people of western NSW to deal with a catastrophic lack of water

The Director General also requires Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production". Yet Santos still has not revealed its future developments in the area.

Santos has ADMITTED that its CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl. The economic bottom line of a company cannot be put ahead of threatened species.

Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted. Again, I ask, why is any drilling taking place? What is the point of assessment if drilling can occur without it?

The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days. The increase in fire risk from allowing gas drilling in the region is unacceptable. For this reason alone, surely, the drilling must stop and the Expansion must be refused. In the meantime, Santos is closing off areas of the Pilliga State Forest, endangering lives and potentially hampering RFS access.

State Forests belong to the people of NSW. They do not belong to government. They certainly do not belong to mining companies. Turn down this application and return the Forest to the people, flora and fauna.

It is extremely disappointing, but unfortunately not unexpected, that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

Minister,
I would like you to reject the development of Coal Seam Gas extraction in the Pilliga forest.
My concerns are the potential fire hazard in an already hazardous area, last year we had the devastating fires in the Warrenbungles and this season the conditions are worsening.
We are irrigators on the Lower Namoi area I have seen the chemical pollution that Eastern Star Gas/Santos have let enter our waterways. My main concern, I have research extensively over the last two years and attended CMA water workshops, is the impact on ground water supply and quality. A major disaster would be the loss in anyway to the Great Artisan Basin, too many other environments and businesses will be impacted.

The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

I am very concerned about the environmental impacts on this fragile ecosystem. Please do not allow this to go ahead.

I firmly believe that mining and similar "developments" are totally inappropriate in the Pillaga Forest. We need to conserve wild areas and habitat. We need to commit all this investment to renewables, and stop further fossil-fuel resouce extraction. Stay with the science and clean up your act and our planet, please, before it's too late. That means now!

The Pilliga is the largest remaining piece of temperate woodland in NSW.
It lies in the headwaters of the Murray Darling Basin and forms part of the recharge area of the Great Artesian Basin.
The Pilliga has enormous biodiversity and conservation values and is home to a number of state and federally listed species of conservation concern.

Santos have conceded that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the endangered Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. Since extinction is forever, there must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

Offsets are totally inadequate in protecting threatened species.
Once groundwater has been contaminated by multiple chemicals - as found in hydraulic fracturing fluids - it is not possible to remove them.
We cannot afford to damage the waters that future generations will rely on.
The application to explore for CSG in the Pilliga must be rejected.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Moles

Please do not let Santos ruin the last of our national forests and destroy the homes of the native animals.

Please do not let this happen due to money. This is not acceptable

RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

I wish to submit the view that the Pilliga Forest is unsuitable for gas exploration and extraction.

As the largest remnant semi-arid woodland in NSW it is too important to allow development that will undoubtedly have negative impacts on the environment.

It is the habitat for bird and mammal species under threat, and these require the NSW government's plan for conservation to be upheld and strengthened.

There are many areas that are not so ecologically important and the short-term economic gains are not worth the environmental pressures that will be put on the area. Tourism can bring more money than the few jobs that will be created by gas extraction.

Sincerely,

Sam Ryan

I wish to make an strong objection to the Bibblewindi Gas Exploration Pilot Site Application by Santos for the following reasons and concerns.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER
The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY
Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY
Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS
The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION
It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.
I am personally particularly concerned about the water issue as thousands of people are dependent on artesian water in this area and beyond. We cannot have confidence that this proposal and others will not permanently affect the quality of this vital resource.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

Dear Minister,
In considering applications for CSG exploration in the Pilliga State Forest, please hear the ordinary people of our State, and do not allow the power of big business and the lure of short-term
financial gain to destroy our lands, our current industries and our country communities.

RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - The Director General required Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" - Santos has not identified their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimants, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

I am writing in response to the application by Santos to seek approval to drill more exploratory sites for CSG extraction at Bibblewindi in the Pilliga Scrub.

The Pilliga is an important and fragile natural habitat that is being destroyed by rapacious exploitation; damage will be irreparable in our lifetime and the lifetime of our children.

CSG is a fossil fuel in finite supply; it is not worth ravaging our natural resources for such a short-sighted temporary `solution' to our energy needs.

Multi-national companies have been granted the rights to extract CSG in NSW and the bulk of the product is being exported overseas due to high demand and high prices - this practice is NOT providing abundant and affordable energy solutions for Australian domestic use, as is touted by Santos in its documentation. Australian manufacturers and residents are paying the highest prices for gas, yet we have a large natural supply. Gas stinks, and so does the CSG industry.

The issues concerning CSG impact are complex, and this application includes a plethora of lengthy and technical documents - almost impossible for lay people like myself to decipher and make sense of, let alone compose a coherent response to submit to the Dept of Planning. Therefore I (and I am sure, many many others) am very grateful that a volunteer action group has been able to research, analyse and compile information to assist me in preparing this submission. Please understand that I fully support the following statements, and wish to utilise this as my own submission.

Santos have not met the Director General's requirements, and there is much more research, data and consultation and assessment necessary before the Department should consider approving this proposal.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimants, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

Please accept the above submission of objection to this proposal as an individual submission provided by myself the undersigned, and do not stigmatise it as a 'form' letter with less value than any other submission.

Yours sincerely
Anna (a resident of NSW)

For the reasons listed below I object to Santos being allowed to conduct drilling (even exploratory) operations in the Pilliga Forest.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimants, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

Our family wishes to lodge a strong objection to the Santos proposal for exploration in the Pilliga for coal-seam gas extraction.
The Pilliga is a unique and precious part of our national heritage, which is coming under increasing pressure and threat of degradation through commercial exploitation.
Its flora and fauna are fragile and vulnerable, not only to the drilling process but also to the extensive road-building and various types of traffic involved, and the problems of pollution associated with any form of industrial invasion.
Once scarred, this type of ecosystem can never be adequately regenerated, even if that is the ultimate plan.
Our unique wild areas belong to all Australians, and should not be made available for exploitation in the interest of commercial gain.

The science tells us that coal seam gas mining puts at risk the clean water and soil that is essential to food production. Stop these explorations!

In my travels I have often stayed in the vicinity of the Pillaga Forest so I could do bird surveys. This area is a national icon and should not be used for Coal Seam Gas drilling. I have seen first hand the destruction of the native forest at Tara where the CSG pipelines and installations were put in. The dairy industry of Vermont in America has been shut down because of contamination of water which has gone into the milk from the cows.

CSG is a fossil fuel and we should not be destroying the environment for this dreadful product. Spraying the produced water on the dirt roads has caused terrible skin reactions on the people of Tara and there is no research to see what it does to our wildlife. There ;have been hundreds of leakages from existing infrastructure in Australia which is hushed up by the companies.

New South Wales have just had horrendous fires so it is not practical to place these gas installations and pipelines in bush which is prone to fire. Will the Pillaga Forest be the first area to have a huge explosion from burning gas? I heard on the news that the firemen were working hard to keep fire away from one CSG installation. The Government must be mad to even think of doing this.

RESPONSE TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.

WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.

In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.

These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.

BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.

AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.

HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.

CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

My concerns are that Eastern Star Gas and now Santos have not met Government requirements in so many areas (see below for some of these shortfalls).

There has been a lot of misinformation that there is a shortage of natural gas. This is untrue.

It beggars belief that Australian Federal and State Governments are allowing the destruction of our arable lands, water in the form of aquifers and above ground drainage, the raising of salt and toxic pollutants, the destruction of our flora and fauna..


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Despite the Director General requiring Santos to state "the likely interactions between the development and existing, approved and proposed gas exploration and production" Santos have not yet come clean with their future developments in the area.


WATER - The Pilliga Forest is an important recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin. The Director General requires baseline monitoring, however there is still no baseline water study completed for the Pilliga groundwater systems. The aquifer monitoring bores required to do this have not even been constructed.


In addition, the cumulative water model used by Santos lacks the basic data required to assess the impacts of drilling for coal seam gas on groundwater in the future. There must be thorough sampling and testing across the project area to enable modelling of regional groundwater flows and a comprehensive assessment of Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems in the Pilliga region including the potential impacts any groundwater drawdown or contamination may have.



These two Bohena wells are part of an exploration program that involves the multi-lateral drilling. The drilling through the casing of wells poses a risk to the Great Artesian Basin and other aquifers as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to seal the junction between the casing and the lateral.


BIODIVERSITY - Santos have admitted that their CSG exploration will destroy habitat for the Pilliga Mouse. The breeding status and population dynamics of the threatened species in the Pilliga are very poorly understood. There must be baseline ecological surveys to assess the population dynamics and status of the Pilliga Mouse, Eastern Pygmy Possum and Barking Owl.


AIR QUALITY - Another requirement is to assess the risk of fugitive emissions on environmental and human health. The baseline atmospheric methane data collection against which to assess any future potential fugitive emissions and Independent Health Impact Assessment of north-west NSW to establish baseline health data and air quality information has not yet been conducted.


HAZARDS - The Pilliga is highly susceptible to fires, largely due to the high incidence of ironstone attracting lightning strikes. It is not unusual for the Rural Fire Service to record up to 1000 over a 24 hour period in the Pilliga region. Santos does not appear to have a clear bushfire strategy, especially for gas flaring which cannot be shut down on catastrophic fire days.


CONSULTATION - It is extremely disappointing that Aboriginal Heritage requirements for were taken out of the Director General Requirements. There is a Native Title claim over the project area and Santos must include the Gomeroi Native Title Claimnts, Gomeroi Traditional Owners of the Pilliga and the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council in their consultation.

http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=5934