Narrabri Gas

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
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. In a worst-case scenario, the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure in the recharge areas--potentially 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--a 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.

2. 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.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
Extensive community surveys have shown an average of 96% opposition to CSG. This stretches across a massive 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest, including 99 communities. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions unlike any previously seen in the region.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water--Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely
Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium². In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Santos cannot be trusted.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
A range of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds can be released into the air from coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells. The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination⁴. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
The Siding Springs Observatory, situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, is under threat from the Narrabri Gas Project due to light and dust pollution⁵. The area has been internationally recognised as a `dark sky park'⁶ and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.

9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. The project would increase ignition sources as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas right within this extremely fire-prone forest.

To whom it may concern,

Please save the Pilliga Forest and consider all the environmental and human issues attached to this type of destruction.

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 gas field 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 song lines 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 don't let Santos destroy our state.

Regards,

Christine Becroft

It is simply unacceptable to place at risk the waters of the Great Artesian Basin.
It is not a valid outcome to risk the Pilliga Forest or this prime agricultural land with the chemicals used in this extractive industry.
When the company involved releases the names of the full range of chemicals involved. When the CEO and all share holders families sign up to having these chemicals added to their drinking water can this proposal be explored and presumably rejected.
The additional methane released by this particular extraction process makes it the most polluting and environmentally destructive for the rest of humanity.
As a former resident of Narrabri I find the thought of this development sad that this rural area should be destroyed by this scourge.

These millionaires don't need to reap the benefits while the rest of the country suffers loss. Invest in clean solar and wave energy!

Dear Staff
I am a landowner growing vegetables, fruit and nuts.
I also restore habitat for our wildlife corridor.
I value clean air and water as essential for my life and the health of the plants I grow. I am concerned that the coal gas project by Santos will damage clean air and water and soil. Without these we and other species become sick or die. Please halt this venture.

To whom it may concern,
This submission has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan with light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory. It is a simple solution, as recommended by the NSW EPA to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.
Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy. First established in Coonabarabran NSW, on the Warrumbungle Ranges in the 1960's it was built here because of the dark skies in this region. While there is historic value of this site from telescopes established over 50 years ago, this observatory hosts the largest optical telescopes from national and international universities and research entities. Not only hosting the largest, this site hosts the second, third, fourth, fifth largest telescopes etc in Australia, playing a key role in science research across the Southern Hemisphere. Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia, but moved elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
From 2013 onwards light emissions from the Santos gasfield exploration have increased to the point that, just the Bibblewindi large flare and unmanned facility alone, creates more light pollution than the entire town of nearby Coonabarabran with over 3500 people residing there. Santos have listed plans to triple the amount of pilot flares and double the amount of large flares including constructing 50 metre high flare stacks, with an average 30 metre high flame above it. Nowhere do they list the EPAs recommended practice to enclose flares, as has been done in NSW areas such as Gloucester. Enclosing flares is the only acceptable mitigation to protect the scientific community from the unnecessary light pollution they plan to emit. Siding Spring Observatory already has to deal with light pollution from existing mining and regional towns. Even Sydney itself, from over 400kms away can affect research from its light glow. Santos are a lot closer than this. Every bit of extra light pollution is making it more difficult to continue the leading scientific research, and while each pollute in different levels, most consider they aren't doing any damage. But it's the combination with the existing light sources, adding a cumulative effect which is becoming worse as more pollution is created.
In summary, this is a simple fix in this case, as while Santos building infrastructure is willing to comply with shielded lights for buildings, they need to go a step further and enclose all current and future flares as the NSW EPA recommend. It is the only acceptable solution.
Thanks,

No CSG

I am hereby formally submitting my opposal to the Narrabri Gas Project and it's plan for the construction of 850 gas wells for the following reasons.

1. It is a retrograde plan for the state and Australia. The state should be funding long-term clean and renewable energy projects, not short-term fossil fuel projects.

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 take this submission seriously as it represents mine and my family's desire for a brighter future in our country.

To whom it may concern,
I am strongly objecting to the proposal by Santos to drill hundreds of coal seam gas wells in the Pilliga Forest. My research has led me to believe that such an industry has the capacity to cause massive and enduring environmental damage, for the sake of a mere 200 jobs, once the infrastructure is in place.
This infrastructure will put further pressure on 26 threatened species of fauna, including koala, quoll, wallaby and Pygmy possum. Nineteen threatened species of plants will also be affected. The area is home to 200 bird species, but once 90,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest are fragmented and trees felled, the entire ecosystem of the area changes.
The gas wells themselves are cut through strong rock in an area that recharges The Great Artesian Basin, the huge underground supply of water which many locals rely on for their water, water for cooking, bathing, watering stock and crops. Large amounts of water will be drawn from this supply during construction and operation of the wells, which may impact on farmers supply from springs and bores. Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River, which is part of the Murray Darling Basin. Water is our most important resource and we need to protect it.
Unfortunately there have already been many reported spills and leaks of toxic water from the pipes and storage ponds from existing wells in the Pilliga. One leak , which contaminated an aquifer, he'd 20 times the safe level of URANIUM? Unsafe levels of other cancer causing agents, such as arsenic, lead and Barium, were also in the contaminated water.
OK, so accidents happen. What is concerning , though, is that Santos was fined a measly $1500 for the spill. This is insufficient for the possible outcome of a spill and is not a deterrent to further spills. This gives Santos the freedom to choose NOT to closely monitor infrastructure to ensure spills are prevented. This concerns me, as making money usually trumps environmental care. Why are we risking the environment which feeds us?
SALT. 20,000 tonnes of it per year will be generated for 40 years! How will it be stored? In landfill in synthetic liners? What happens when the liners break down? More damage to the environment, which may not affect us personally but it will impact on our children or grandchildren or their children. Another toxic legacy for them to clean up.
METHANE is burnt at each well, releasing a range of chemicals which have affected the health of people living near the wells. Methane also leaks into the atmosphere, with its environmental impact 72 times that of CO2. Fires rage through the area regularly, so what impact will hundreds of methane flare stacks have on the rate of fire. Imagine a fire where there are pipes transporting and storing highly flammable gas!
Farmers don't want these wells, the Gamilaraay Traditional custodians don't want them and city dwellers like myself don't want them.
There is too much at stake here for 200 jobs. Once water is contaminated, species lost and forest felled, It is too late to fix it.
What happens when there are MORE wells, and MORE leaks

The Narrabri Gas Project puts at risk our precious water sources, the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin.

CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

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.

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.

As a local to Narrabri, I strongly oppose the move to drill for gas in the Pilliga Forest. The Pilliga is an area vital to native wildlife, and work is currently being done by the AWC to reintroduce small mammals endemic to the area that were made extinct by invasive species. Gas drilling in the area would decrease the effectiveness of this process.
Secondly, the traditional custodians of the land, the Kamilaroi people are opposed to drilling. As the owners of the land their wishes should be respected. To destroy such a beautiful region and add to climate change by drilling would be devastating to both the Kamilaroi people, non-Indigenous locals and to the tourists who regularly pass through the area.
There are also many risks that come with drilling that will effect the water basin below the Pilliga, which is vital to maintain the existing ecosystem and to support agriculture in the region.

I oppose this

Here are 5 reasons I 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.
Thanks to our friends at The Wilderness Society, Lock the Gate and the Narrabri community for their long standing work to protect this ancient forest.

I object to it

I object to this project and believe it should be rejected. I outline several points below regarding the significant detrimental impacts of this proposed project.
 It will extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first five years. This water will be treated and in the early years will generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt, for which there is no safe disposal plan.
 It will clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.
 It will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.
 It will lead to large deliberate and fugitive emissions of methane, adding to climate change.
 It will cause more trauma to the regional Aboriginal community because the area of impact is crucially important to the spiritual, cultural and social life of Gamilaraay people.
 It is not justified: Santos' own coal seam gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. NSW should respond to this by investing in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy, not by letting Santos inflict more environmental, social and economic harm.
 It will cause economic upheaval in Narrabri and put agricultural industries at risk, as well as causing light pollution that will ruin the dark night sky needed by the internationally renowned Siding Spring Observatory.
 Coal seam gas is harmful to health. Neither the NSW Government nor Santos have investigated or dealt with the serious health effects of coal seam gas now appearing in peer-reviewed research in the United States.
I urge the Government to reject this project and make the Great Artesian Basin recharge off- limits to gas mining.
Yours,

o whom it may concern,
This submission has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan with light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory. It is a simple solution, as recommended by the NSW EPA to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.
Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy. First established in Coonabarabran NSW, on the Warrumbungle Ranges in the 1960's it was built here because of the dark skies in this region. While there is historic value of this site from telescopes established over 50 years ago, this observatory hosts the largest optical telescopes from national and international universities and research entities. Not only hosting the largest, this site hosts the second, third, fourth, fifth largest telescopes etc in Australia, playing a key role in science research across the Southern Hemisphere. Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia, but moved elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
From 2013 onwards light emissions from the Santos gasfield exploration have increased to the point that, just the Bibblewindi large flare and unmanned facility alone, creates more light pollution than the entire town of nearby Coonabarabran with over 3500 people residing there. Santos have listed plans to triple the amount of pilot flares and double the amount of large flares including constructing 50 metre high flare stacks, with an average 30 metre high flame above it. Nowhere do they list the EPAs recommended practice to enclose flares, as has been done in NSW areas such as Gloucester. Enclosing flares is the only acceptable mitigation to protect the scientific community from the unnecessary light pollution they plan to emit. Siding Spring Observatory already has to deal with light pollution from existing mining and regional towns. Even Sydney itself, from over 400kms away can affect research from its light glow. Santos are a lot closer than this. Every bit of extra light pollution is making it more difficult to continue the leading scientific research, and while each pollute in different levels, most consider they aren't doing any damage. But it's the combination with the existing light sources, adding a cumulative effect which is becoming worse as more pollution is created.
In summary, this is a simple fix in this case, as while Santos building infrastructure is willing to comply with shielded lights for buildings, they need to go a step further and enclose all current and future flares as the NSW EPA recommend. It is the only acceptable solution.
Thanks,
Felicity Cahill

Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, should even be being considered that will be so detrimental to the most important scientific and tourism infrastructure as Siding Springs, never mind approved.

The town of Coonabarabran realises the importance of limiting light pollution and residents and organisations have gone to great lengths to achieve this - for the benefit of the telescope installation in the Warrumbungles.

I submit that NO additional approvals for more flaring or mining locations be approved.

Gai Anderson

My submission's aim is to add my voice to the many millions of Australians who do not want to see CSG happening in our country especially in pristine environments like the Pilliga forests.
Not only will it pollute the artesian basin but deforest the very ecosystems we rely on for other services like clean water and oxygen production.
Please allow clear heads to determine the fate of these forests. Consider the triple bottom line - economics, ENViIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL considerations.
Yours sincerely
Denise Dempsey

One Coal Seam Gas byproduct is methane gas which can have a deleterious impact on our changing climate. 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. This leakage can occur into the Artesian Bore waters and the poisoned water can rise into the natural water courses and channels which are used for the watering of stock and irrigation of edible crops. Focus on renewable energies rather than finite energies that have a deleterious impact on our future.

To whom it may concern,
This submission has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan to drastically increase light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory.
I have read that the coal seam gas industry works with the community, farmers and other Industries for the benefit of all. This does Not seem to be the case in this instance.
I was interested to learn that a simple solution was recommended by the NSW EPA which was to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.
Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy.
Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and Private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia.
I object strongly to one industry being placed above all others, and being allowed to pollute in any way, shape or form.
respectfully Yours, Roger Corben