Narrabri Gas

Hello,

I am deeply against the idea of expanding CSG in Australia. The process has been shown to cause detrimental environmental degradation - not only in regards to clearing land but also in regards to contaminating ground water. The world is now going through a stage where we should be focusing our efforts on renewable energy not extracting gas in a risky and irresponsible manner. We have a responsibility to look after the natural environment.

Please reject this dangerous project.

As a keen bushwalker and camper, I'm well acquainted with the Pilliiga and am very concerned about the impact this large-scale gas mining and processing operation would have on the area.

As one of the largest forested areas in NSW, I believe the Pilliga is a special place and must be preserved to the highest standards.

What makes the Pilliga really special is its inland location - there are very few large forests of this magnitude this far away from the coast in NSW - or indeed, in Australia.

The area is an important koala habitat and contains at least 900 plant species, some of which are endemic to the region.

It has great significance to local Aboriginal people, well as to the wider community, as a place of retreat, solitude and natural beauty.

I have no doubt that the planned extraction, treatment and transport of gas in the region will greatly and adversely impact the Pilliga. It will entail gas extraction, compression and processing facilities; pipelines; water treatment plants; roads; and ancillary infrastructure to be overlaid across the Pilliga.

This project also has the capacity to pollute groundwater, both locally, and in the Great Artesian Basin - one of the world's largest groundwater aquifers.

I acknowledge that this project may provide short-term benefits to the region and even to the state - but we are on the cusp of a boom in alternative energy solutions (and in some countries, this is already a reality) and I feel that destroying the Pilliga as we know it for a project that will provide benefit for a few decades or so cannot be justified.

I respectfully ask that the Department of Planning and Environment reject this application and do all it can to preserve the Pilliga.

Coal seam gas has been banned in several countries. It has been found to contaminate underground water and rivers, which will affect livestock and drinking water. It should be banned in Australia as well, in aid to preserve people's livelihood and ecosystem.

No fracking our country!!!

Not a good idea

The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. The area of the Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. A spillage has the potential of stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River, part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. I do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species. This is not something of benefit to Australia - we MUST PROTECT what is left.

- the Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Water Basin- Australia's largest water aquifer
-the Gamilaraay traditional custodians are opposed
- farmers and other local community reject the project
-the Narrabri Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water- Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely
-the Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
-CSG fuels dangerous climate change
-human health is compromised by CSG
-thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
-the risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions

I object to further gas development in the Pilliga area. This is a non proven way of extracting gas with many examples of water contamination. This has potential to contaminate under ground water aquifers and decimate the farming community's.

It is a crime in my view to exploit the environment just to benefit a few financially. the community has spoken against this drilling and they count!

Stop the drilling - there is enough evidence in this world to show what damage it does.

STOP

I object to this project due to environmental, social and economic concerns.

This project may threaten crucial water ways in this region. The risk of disruption to the Murray-Darling basin and the threat of possible contamination is intolerable. Santos has been associated with contamination of land and resources.

This project also violates the wishes of the traditional custodians of the forest and the land. Additionally, farmers and local community members are against this project and the destruction it would cause for their home. It would also increase the risk of devastating bushfires.

In the not too distant future, natural resources like forests and clean rivers are going to be the most precious things we have. We need to protect them, not short sightedly destroy them to make quick money now.

I strongly object to this project going ahead.

I object to this project.
We are very fortunate in that other places have made the mistake of drilling into their aquifers, with great consequence, so we can see the long-term affects of such ventures.

It is about time we started looking to other countries, and followed their example in using true renewables, such as wind and solar. We need to think in the interests of our grandchildren. Their lives are more valuable than our pockets.

The area is important for the protection of many threatened species. We can't keep reducing their pockets of sanctuary. It is also bad for our health!

Furthermore, you know an idea is truly wrong when both the hippies and the farmers oppose it. The Gamilaraay, Traditional Custodians of the land are against the project, hippies and environmentalists are against it, and farmers, who are already struggling oppose it and the inevitable effects.

Water and country must be protected from the Gas extraction process in sensitive and sacred areas

The CSG project is not to the benefit of Australians and damaging to the environment. Please do not risk this environmentally diverse area, the water table and general environment. CSG is not the way forward and I would like to see support for projects of a renewable and environmentally sensitive nature. Please don't facilitate another organisation with self interest whilst contributing little or in some cases nothing to Australia.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project for the following reasons:

1. The clearing of land and fragmentation of the Pilliga for the proposed 850 gas wells will have a significant negative impact on the fauna and flora of the Pilliga - a recognised nationally listed 'biodiversity hotspot' which is vital to the survival of a number of threatened species including the Pilliga Mouse, Koala, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy Possum, South-eastern Long-eared Bat and Spotted-tailed Quoll.

2. The project also poses a significant threat to the Great Artesian Basin, potentially reducing the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores.

3. The project does not have Aboriginal Traditional Owner support nor the support of the broader community including farmers in the Pilliga area.

4. There are also issues with the salt waste created by CSG process. How will that waste be disposed of?

5. The Pilliga is already prone to fire. The project would increase ignition sources within this already extremely combustible forest type.

6. Santos has a bad track record in terms of contamination of acquifers in the Pilliga and other reported spills, leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads.

Yours sincerely

Donna Harkess

I object to the Santos Narrabri Gas Project to go ahead for the following reasons:

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer. How can a Government that is paid to ensure the health and safety of the nation are not provided with such resources because of the risky business being done simply to make more money? Surely people are put before profit however the potential for Santos to go through runs the risk of this...

2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians oppose to this. Gamilaraay people are deeply involved in the battle against CSG, and have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

3. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed `biodiversity hotspots' and is vital to the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelines--damaging vital habitat and threatening the survival of endangered species.

This is a plea from the heart.
Please do not allow / do this.
It's time to look at alternatives.
Save our land and ecosystems for future generations.

I Object to the CSG project in the Pilliga region & can only hope & pray that those in power can see this project will destroy valuable land & environment also the possible devastation of different species of wildlife, please don't let this happen for our children's future & the future of Australia

What's best for the people is them being heard. Listen to them and create jobs that help the environment thrive not help destroy it.
Do the right thing

Water is much more important than drilling for poisonous unstable Coal Seam Gas. Santos has a bad track record with the safety and containment of its CSG wells.
Please show responsible leadership and protect precious assets that belong to all the people.

Please don't let this CSG project go ahead.
We are birders and The Piliga is one of our favourite places for birds in NSW.
This will wreck the place and leave nothing for our children and childrens children.
Thanks
Cliff Dent