Narrabri Gas

I am writing to lodge my objection to the Narrabri Gas Project. I feel that the project risks precious water sources including the Great Australian Basin. The nearby Namoi River is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells. We need to protect our nations water sources not pollute them. The project is deeply opposed by the traditional owners of the land involved. The Gamilaraay people do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field. The possible damage could never be worth the pay off of natural gas. I feel that Santos has an atrocious track record and a blatant disregard for the environment. The corporation is all about the bottom line with no thought to the future of our precious planet. It has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe water drinking guidelines. Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Why would you let such a company be in charge of such a complicated operation? It doesn't make any sense. If Santos was one of my employees they would have been sacked by now. I certainly wouldn't be putting them on anymore important assignments when they have showed such incompetence in the past.

Briefly, All CSG projects are an affont to society and the Pilliga attacked by Santos is not just wrong: it is evil. It is essentially attack on Australia.

The Santos gas project would extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater and drill right through the recharge area of the Great Artesian Basin. It would generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt waste for which Santos has still not offered any waste disposal plans. This gasfield would fragment over 90,000 hectares of the the Pilliga forest, industrialising the largest temperate woodland in eastern Australia. This should not be allowed to happen. Gas companies assure us they will protect the earth and ear but too often they do not and its then too late for the air and earth

Dear sir/ Madam
The exploration and extraction of gas from coal seams is not needed to supply NSW's or for that matter any other part of Australia's gas needs.

It is being done to prop up the exporting of LNG overseas by greedy and unethical businesses. Natural gas that is more freely available is converted to LNG and exported overseas by SANTO's compatriots and business associates from WA, NT and Qld.

Many Australian's are extremely disappointed and angry that our Federation of States (Australia) is unable or unwilling to ensure the cleanest and most suitable gas is supplied within the Australian nation, from Australian resources.

States who prefer to grant export licences knowing shortages of resources in other States will result in destructive practices such as the extraction from coal seams of
gas are failing the intent of Federation to have all Australians treated equally.
A federal government who fails to act, whether it be by the water trigger or via other mechanisms, to redress these sorts of service or supply imbalances is adding to the failure of Federation.

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.

There is overwhelming evidence of global warming due to fossil fuel use, there is likewise overwhelming evidence of the risks and unintentional damage and pollution due to methane leakage, casing deterioration over time, and pollution and damage to sub surface water sources resulting from CSG. It is grossly irresponsible and indeed criminally negligent to allow further projects to commence. The move from fossil fuels of all types, to renewables is an imperative, they pose an existential risk to our children and grandchildren. If you are to act responsibly as an approval authority you cannot approve the Narrabri CSG proposal

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 object to the NSW Government allowing the development of Coal Seam Gas fields in the Pilliga region which will destroy land and water for the surrounding area and as a result will badly affect the health and lives of the many people living in the vicinity.

Management of our natural resources of forest and water aquifer should include a carefully thought out and executed conservation plan. Opening this land to gas exploration seems like a complete misuse of the Public's trust in the Governement. We are rapidly entering an era where carbon fuels are increasingly obselesant, yet we have a government that seems intent on exploiting and endangering resources that should rightfully be replaced by renewables.

I object to the exploration for gas in the Pilliga State Forest. This is a very important area for wildlife including birds. As well as being one of 15 nationally listed biodiversity hotspots, the Pilliga State Forest is part of the Pilliga Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) identified by BirdLife Australia on behalf of BirdLife International as one of 315 KBAs in Australia because it provides habitat for the globally endangered Painted Honeyeater and the near threatened Diamond Firetail.

I oppose the Narrabri Gas Project for five reasons:

1. It's site is a 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 strongly hold that Australia must protect what remains of its wilderness, its flora and fauna, its reefs and its precious water and particularly its artesian water. We are a dry country likely to become drier and to allow a mining process that threatens one of the most valuable natural commodities we have beggars belief.
I am reaching the stage in life at almost 70 when I feel I have fought so many good fights for much of the Australian environment. It appals me that I still have to find the energy to keep on fighting developments such as the Narrabri Gas Project.

I think that Coal Seam Gas mining should NOT go ahead in the Pilliga.

As well as being opposed by the local people, the risks to the environment, and to the underground water supply, are too great - just as the risks are too great to allow deep sea drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight.

While Australia may need a gas industry, it must not come at the expense of the environment or the rural water supply, or by degrading the way of life of the population in the vicinity of the gas fields.

It would be better to exploit gas reserves in less environmentally and socially sensitive areas, or to continue gas exploration to try to find safer gas reserves.

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.

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,
Lise Blackgrove

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project. CSG mining is a toxic process and will damage the environment. The corporations and companies that do the mining say they are not toxic processes and will be contained but this is not true. I believe that we need to ban toxic mining processes not allow them to continue. The forest of the pilots should be preserved. Please don't allow this environmental desecration to occur.
Jess

Object to taking water out of artesian basin and contaminating our water ways,destroying our natural forrest atthe pilliga
NSW GOVT,DO NOT LET SANTOS DO THIS
AS IT WILL BE TOO LATE WHEN THE DAMMAGE IS DONE AND OUR BASIN CONTAMINATED,
HOW DO YOU FIX THAT?

To NSW Planning & Environment Dept:
I implore you not to allow the Narrabri or any other gas fracking project to go ahead in the Pilliga or any other region of NSW. Gas fracking threatens our precious water tables - once contamination occurs it's irreversable, far too great a risk to take. It also threatens the health of those living near the fracking operations.
Australia needs to be investing much more heavily in sustainable energy; we are lagging behind the rest of the world in this regard.

I am opposed to CSG exploration and development in the Pilliga:
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.

No CSG please!
Regards,
Brian Snedden

I object to this most regrettable project. We must protect our water and land, not Santos profits.

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.