Narrabri Gas

You cannot put the great artisan basin in jeopardy. We are a dry continent and need those water reserves for future generations (and this generation). What about how the local creeks flow into the Murray Darling basin, any overflow from the mining would be there killing everything- and the farmers who rely on the river for their water supply. Santos don't have a good track record to date on protecting local environments.
There's also the matter of interfering with the night light in the area for the telescope at Warrumbungles a world class station with the darkest night sky!
Australia needs this temperate forest not another mine!

I object to this coal seam gas mining for many reasons.

We must be the worst generation in history for destroying the natural world. Climate change is real and all we can do is promote more of the same, dig it up and sell it. Millions of years of a natural cycle to develop coal & coal seam gas, we remove it in a generation. This resourse is part of our commonwealth (the populations) and we owe it to future generations to guard against the destruction of the resource and natural biodiversity.

The Pilliga is largely an untouched area which makes it a world biodiversity hotspot for threatened species of flora and fauna.

It is also a recharge area for the Great Atresian Basin, who are we to give the OK for companies to use this water which belongs to future generations, another commonwealth asset. Companies have the ability to walk away after they deplete the resource leaving the cleaning up to the public purse.

The Gamilaraay People do not want to sacrifice their country to coal seam gas fields. Recent research says the aboriginal people have been on this continent for 50,000 years and have managed and belong to their country, are we so arrogant!!!

Bushfires are becomming more frequent and catastrophic and gasfields will pose a very real threat - again due to climate change which mining fossil fuels is all part of the problem.

I am ashamed to be part of this country and the demise of the natural biodiversity that we should behold as a wonderful gift.

Very sincerely

I stringy object to the plans for an 850 Well coal seam gas production project in the Pilliga forest known as theNarrabri Gas Project
I object Because of the loss of ground water and the possible damage to the Great Atesian Basin
Also because of the problem that wih what do with the resulting SALT
41, 900 tonnes of Salt!
Santos shows no concern for the spiritual and cultural of the Gomeroi/ Gamilaraay people... the real owners of this land
Air Quality assessment has FAILED to model the very likely substantial escape of fugitive METHANE EMISSIONS

I am against the Narrabi Gas Project.
This are is an important part of the Australian ecosystem and the First Nations peoples, as well as farming.
It's my belief that this type of business really doesn't contribute as much as it takes. The damage it can do to our water table is enormous. Nevermind the clearing involved.
We should be investing in new ways to look at powering, and if absolutely necessary better ways of extraction
The scarring and rape of our country needs to stop.
Thankyou
Rebecca.

I object to the drilling for Coal Seam Gas in the Pillaga. There are widely held views on the destructive impact of fracking for CSG and to let this process go ahead without even an Environmental Impact Statement is criminal. Santos does not have community support (I believe 94per cent of people have said NO to CSG in the area) and I thought we lived in a democracy where people had a right to have their wishes respected. We are not yet a third world country that gets bold over by large corporations. Or are we?

Having just returned from a holiday to Northern NSW I can attest to the huge asset represented by the natural environment.

I was dismayed to read about the proposed Narrabri project.

Drilling for a non-renewable resource in a sensitive and irreplaceable ecosystem when renewable energy is demonstrably cheaper is illogical and irresponsible. Please move to remove this final project from the slate.

Please find attached my submission

I object to the development of any Coal Seam Gas project in the region of the Pilliga. This area and the water beneath it are too important to the future of our State to be damaged or endangered in any way. Coal seam gas exploration and extraction is clearly dangerous and damaging to our water supplies and our environment. This is not the best use of this land, now or for the future.

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.

1. It is safehaven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed Â`biodiversity hotspotsÂ' 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, please do not allow Santos Narrabri Gas Project to go ahead. As a parent and grandparent I believe the health of all Australians and the environment and wildlife is dependent on not having any more gas projects. No CSG for Australia. Our future needs to be focused on a healthy environment only.

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.

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.

Those is illegal ..I object
Nobody else would be able to get away with such a high risk project on there two things that are so crucial to our survival water and nature
It's unfair and irresponsible to our children and the planet

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,

Leave our water alone. STOP this madness and destruction to our resources. Money is not important compared to having healthy water. Stop destroying our land. There is enough evidence of human and animals lives being wrecked by gas mining. TIME TO STOP NOW!!!

SANTOS should not be permitted to explore for or actually extract coal seam gas from the Pilliga forest area.
This area provides habitat for millions of species that should be allowed to live out their lives and lifecycles free from the destruction of gas extraction and human activities.

You need to realise nature is the most important thing left.. We have enough alternatives and educated knowledge to not let this happen.
Respect Australian people's wishes and stop destroying our back yard

I strongly object to the Australian Federal Government's short-sighted and damaging policies on all fossil fuels. The technology exists now for generation and storage at such competitive and cost effective rates that making the switch is a no-brainer, yet you are still supporting these outdated and dangerous energy resources.

The Narabri Gas Project is a perfect example of the complete irrationality of government policy. I poses no financial benefit to the community, but unacceptable environmental damage and damage to water, the source of all life and an even more valuable resource in a dry continent like ours with climate change and land clearing reducing overall annual rainfall.

Once all the drinkable water is polluted, which water will you drink? What about your families and friends and those who voted for you who will vote at the next election?
The only imaginable explanation is that the decision makers are incompetent or corrupt. However, it is not too late to withdraw from this appalling project.

The Narabri Gas project 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 strongly object to any Coal Seam gas drilling, as the future of our water and environment for future generations is at stake. Australia should be leading the way with renewables and not spending another cent on old polluting fossil fuels. Enough is enough. Put the money you are planning on wasting and taking a huge environmental risk with into wind, solar and battery storage etc.

I oppose of the Narrabi Gas project in Piliga.