Narrabri Gas

I submit that NSW follows Victoria's lead in banning all gas projects in their state.
There is enough evidence based on the ongoing detrimental impacts on the environment and citizens in the Chinchilla region to refuse any claims as to being environmentally viable.

Simply put, I think that any threat to our clean water and clean air supply is dangerous. Natural gas is composed of 72% methane. We all know that methane is poisonous. Methane will leak from these wells during production and transporting of the gas. Why then aren't the pipes sealed appropriately? Because they CANNOT be sealed completely. It's not possible.

Why would our government approve a proposal that would allow the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin be put at risk from this drilling? Surely, our most important heritage is a clean water supply and clean air. Without them, we're in trouble.

This past summer was horrific. The extreme heat and bushfires placed property and human life at great risk. The last thing we need are 50 metre methane flare stacks running day and night; even during total fire ban days!

The Traditional Custodians of this area, the Gamilaraay people,
have been deeply involved in fighting this proposal. They want to protect their sacred sites.

Last but not least, this area is a haven to the threatened koala, spotted-tailed quoll, black-striped wallaby, eastern pygmy-possum, pilliga mouse and the south-eastern long-eared bat. Where these animals can survive means that a forest is healthy. Healthy forests support a healthy human population. What could be more important than that?

Please keep this vital region free from the threat of Santos's coal seam gas field.

I do not want this project to go through as I am most concerned about the environmental impact. The USA are a prime example of the disasterous effects of this type of mining. Our government needs to protect our country and its citizens, not poson us and future generations.

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

3. It risks our clean water
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.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

Santos cannot be trusted. They are environmental rapists!

Dear NSW Government Planning and Environment Department

I submit to you a request to completely reject the Narrabi Gas Project.

I very much appreciate that the provision of stable and reliable energy in this country is a complex and expensive exercise and that companies proposing large coal seam gas operations appear on one hand, to be cost effective and achieve major targets.

Unfortunately, this infrastructure development also locks Australia into a position of reliance on this form of energy for the next 50 - 100 years.

Solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy have the potential to be 100% stable and reliable - especially if they are provided with the same levels of support, funding and subsidization that the gas and oil industries currently enjoy.

Solar, wind and renewable investment now will provide us with a future that is cleaner and more sustainable for the future.

Why invest in infrastructure that will support a dying industry?

The fantastic independent group Beyond Zero Emissions has produced extensive research papers into the validity of running Australia off renewable energy across all sectors - from the Building and Construction industry right through to Stationary Energy. I urge you to read their comprehensive scientific plans here: http://bze.org.au/publications-overview/

Now, more then ever before, we must support the largest investors in energy (the gas and oil companies) to remodel their businesses, to move away from old and unsustainable infrastructure projects and to instead look to a future that is beyond the target of zero carbon emissions. These companies stand to lose the most - so it beggars belief as to why they cannot themselves begin to invest in future-facing infrastructure.

Please, I urge you to reject any and all proposals for coal seam gas.

We know historically and from recent events that coal seam gas is dangerous to our environment, upsetting water tables and polluting ground soils. We know that we risk the very things that are vital to our environment's stability, our access to clean drinking water and our country's ability to continue to grow edible produce. These things are vital to our economy, our livelihoods and our futures.

Please do not support this proposal or any future for coal seam gas in this country.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am not a member of any political party. I am a grandparent and have great concerns over the environment that we are going to leave our grandchildren and future generations.

Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas - many times more so than Carbon Dioxide. Preliminary investigations have indicated that there is substantial evidence for significant leakage from existing coal seam gas wells, installations and pipelines. This has been further borne out by information from shale gas drilling in the US.. No baseline studies have been carried out by the operators or the government.

The coal seam gas industry developments have already resulted in major increases in domestic gas prices as a result of market pressures to match export prices.

Governments present and past have failed to secure our energy resources, as they should have many years ago, by reserving a proportion of our then very substantial gas reserves for domestic use.

Fossil fuels including gas need to be gradually phased out in order for the world to meet its greenhouse gas targets.

Or emphasis now needs to be to develop our abundant renewable energy resources together with effective energy storage methods.

A very dangerous and short sighted plan.

Submission to the NSW Planning and Environment Department

In an era of dangerously mounting global warming, and with an urgent need for rapid transition to safer renewable energy sources, the Pilliga coal seam gas project would be grossly irresponsible and misguided. Such a project also would be a disaster for unique forests, bushland and wildlife and for the Traditional Owners and farmers who call the region home.


The Pilliga CSG project must not be approved to avoid the following hugely damaging consequences:

1. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change.
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas up to 70 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

2. 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.

3. 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 anciently formed Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.

5. The CSG project significantly will increase the risk of bushfire. Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires.

I wish to make a submission opposting the Pilaga Coal Seam gas project, which I consider to be a potential disaster for the following reasons:

1. It is safe 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.

2. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change:

Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

3. It risks our clean water:

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.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed:

There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise:

Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I hope you will take these points into accountbefore coming to any final decision.

Thank you.

Coal Seam Gas(CSG) mining causes more problems than it will ever solve. No informed society would choose to damage the quality of life for our futures but that's what allowing new Santos CSG mines will do. Please base the decision to go ahead or not on a 50 + years impact study.

Dear Sir/ Madam,
Please do not go ahead with the proposed development of the coal seam gas field in the Pilliga State Forest.
This is a delicate and vulnerable area of land which will be susceptible to degradation and permanent destruction if methane gas is released into the environment - as has happened in America. Surely we can learn from their mistakes and others already made in Queensland.
The methane is not visible to the human eye and can cause major damage before it is even know to be leaking out.
This area is surrounded by valuable farm and grazing land. The destruction of the the water table that could so easily happen, when not if leaks occur, would be catastrophic to the surrounding farms and the livelihoods of the farmers.
The natural species of plants and wildlife found in this region would also be seriously depleted, if not completely destroyed - just by the digging and upset to the peace and tranquility of the area. As habitat will be destroyed, in this process where will the animals eg koalas go
There are also Aboriginal artifacts right through this area and they are of great value to the culture and history of our nation, to say nothing of the extreme value they are to their custodians.
As a nation of creative and intelligent people we must find another way bring eco friendly development to our country. As the gas is mostly for the export market, and we do not benefit much as a nation, as seen by the ever increasing cost of gas in Australia, as opposed to the much cheaper gas provided by us to other countries, there seems little point. Lets think of a better way to build our export markets and cease from this madness.
We have a country which we need to protect and guard from destruction. It is ours to share and enjoy and to leave in a good condition for future generations, just as the Aboriginal people did before we came here.
Yours sincerely,
Philippa Powell.

This is my personal plea to safeguard the health and environment of our beloved country Australia.

Our country stands in the vanguard of nations who will suffer most from the ravages of climate change. Water resources are limited and dwindling rapidly. The hotter it becomes the faster ground water evaporates.

CSG exploration,extraction and fracking draw large volumes of water. The industry make strong claims as to their adherence to laws, regulation and always act responsibly. Here in Australia and in many other countries around the world the industry has demonstrated that the opposite is the true fact.

Government agencies appointed to monitor this industry have been slow or failed to act where breaches ( many ) have occurred. This failure has resulted in the contamination of our Aquifers, flowing waters and land.

I contend that both major political parties have had their view/policies corrupted by industry lobbyists and political donations. The ICAC inquiry in N.S.W demonstrated that politicians from both parties had their snouts in the trough.

Fossil fuels gave us the expansion of the industrial revolution: the automobile replaced the horse. Now in the 21st century it's a no- brainer that clean cheap renewables will replace the fossils.

Government support for solar power and battery storage for homes would quickly return the cost and allow future savings of power cost to be spent into the domestic economy thereby inproving our GDP. Rather than see 80% of our resource profits going overseas.

Thorium fluoride reactors also provide a cheap clean risk free alternative which can be scaled up or down.

Please, give this great country a true viable future. Vote with your heart and what it knows to be true. Don't be expedient be a hero.

I strongly object to the Pilliga coal seam gas project - just another act of vandalism which will: threaten wildlife, fuel dangerous climate change, increase bushfire risk, and risk clean water supply.

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

3. It risks our clean water
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.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

This CSG proposal is a bad idea. The waste products have not been dealt with properly elsewhere in Australia. Creating holes in the earth's layers and filling them with man made pipes and concrete elves a situation when the man made materials deteriorate, as they will eventually, water tablles are seriously at risk of contaminations and other hazards.
After CSG drilling breaks the layers, gases tend to escape via rivers and creeks and also into the atmosphere. This is well documented both in this country and in the USA. When the gas has been taken, who pays to repair the environment?

The Pilliga coal seam gas project is a disaster for our climate, local bushland and wildlife and for the Traditional Owners and farmers who call the region home.

This is the last remaining CSG proposal in NSW, and it's essential we make our powerful opposition clear.

Here are 5 reasons to oppose the Pilliga CSG project:

1. It is safehaven 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.

2. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

3. It risks our clean water
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.

4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.

5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I object to the proposal by Santos to open 859 gas wells in the Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga forest.
1. It is safehaven 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.
2. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.
3. It risks our clean water
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.
4. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath. 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.
5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

Please act responsibly and reject this proposal. Any damage done by this project is irreversible.

I feel very strongly about the Pilliga being mined for gas. Severe scalding has already occurred in this area during resource removal. We are always reassured that safe procedures have been put in place but this never stops accidents occurring and then it is too late. The evidence is already in this area. I feel most strongly about clean water security, wildlife habitat and damaging fire risk.

1. It risks our clean water
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. Imagine the area of pollution if the basin was breached. It can easily happen with these procedures.

2. It is safehaven 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. Again it is very difficult and costly to reverse damage once it has occurred
3. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I cannot understand why all the money put into extracting coal and gas cannot be put to new technology for renewable energy. Australia could easy lead the world in these technologies

I strongly oppose the Narrabri Gas Project. I have a PhD in geology and am astonished that it should even be still up for consideration given what we know about the interconnections between the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Coal seam gas extraction in the Pilliga will pose a real threat to groundwater quality, air quality and the stability of natural ecosystems.
Most importantly it will inevitably contribute to atmospheric pollution and climate change, and this in addition to the pollution caused by subsequent burning of the gas as fuel. There is no such thing as 'clean' fossil fuel.
Fossil fuels are not the future.
Please reject the Narrabri Gas Project and close it down for good. Thank you.