Narrabri Gas

I am strongly opposed to this due to the overall negative affect for the environment and culture of the region.
Toxic leaks, high salt output, detrimental to the immediate and surrounding environment are too likely. The company has a past hjstory of not ensuring the protection avaints these risks.
The traditional land holders and local farming industry are both overwhelmingly opposed.

I would strongly suggest you cease all coal seam gas exploration and mining Immediately. You are currently polluting the Pilliga forest and water of the Great Artesian Basin. Your current practices threaten wildlife, drinking water and farming.

It is unfair that you have already damaged the area without full consent of community members. Coal seam gas mining is fraught with problems and unconventional methods that pollute the water and kill wildlife.

We cannot afford to pollute the Great Artesian Basin that is linked to many rivers and water sources that will undoubtedly be polluted also. Your methods are not safe for the wildlife in the area, nor for humans for drinking water in the future.

You do not have my consent to proceed. It is unlawful to risk our water with unproven methods. Fracking is unsafe and can cause earthquakes in the future. If there is an energy crisis you will need to look to renewables for a safe alternative, Solar with Tesla storage for example.

Frackng uses too much water, water that we need to produce food. It also leaves too much salt to process. It is unlawful to risk one of Australia's greatest water sources with untested and unsafe practices.

I do not consent to any wildlife habitat to be affected by clearing for mining. Fracking violates our basic human right to clean water. Many people have suffered enough trying to protect the land, suffering depression and suicide as a direct result of CSG. How many causalities will it take for the government to realize the profit is not worth the loss.

Studies on existing unconventional gas operations have linked them to respiratory illness' and water contamination.
Coal seam gas is redundant as a source of energy.
This project will be harmful to the enviroment and everybody around it.
Do the companies doing this really want to expose themselves to the litigation that will ensue after they've poisoned everything?

Good Morning,

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.

Also, 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.

Furthermore, 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.

There are endless reasons why this should not go ahead. We have to stop putting big business ahead of the health of our communities and environment. It's an environmental disaster waiting to happen.

To Whom it may concern,

On behalf of myself, the people who actually live in this country and all future generations of Australia, I sincerely request that this project be denied. We are openly destroying our earth for short term profit and greed - this is a thoughtless and greed-driven act of violence against our natural resources.
We have no certain awareness of the future impact of these decisions - other than the devastation of other natural areas with CSG.
Please consider this and stop this project. No one in their right mind (with full disclosure of all the information) would want this.
For our futures sake.
Your children and later generations will hold us all accountable and see this generation of destruction as both greed driven and thoughtless - as they try to reclaim the Earth.

Yours Sincerely,

Beáta Alföldi

Please, I beg you to leave this sacred land of ours alone!! There is no fixing or repairing this later.

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.
- See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.icAs2egJ.dpuf

The madness that is coal seam gas projects has to stop. The effect on water supply from this method of drilling is well known and the fact that santos is allowed to go forward with a project so close to such a major water supply is absolute obscene

Please put a stop to this

To Whom it may concern,

I am strongly opposed to the Santos Narrabri coal seam gas project being approved.

This project will have long term and devistating environmental and social effects on this this region. This project should be opposed.

The NSW Government has a responsibility to act for the betterment of its people and environment.

Kind Regards.

I am deeply concerned for the going ahead of the proposed gas wells through the pilliga from Santos. Often profit is put before caring for the environment, but this proposed destruction is irreversible. Our water sources must remain pure and untouched. As we are a country stricken with drought, I cannot believe this project could ever be considered. It will not benefit our environment, our right to clean accessible water and to our future

It really makes no sense allowing this project to go ahead.

We know from recent discussions that adequate gas is currently being extracted in Australia, to supply the needs of the eastern seaboard. Reducing gas currently being sent overseas will increase the availability for Australia.

The Pilliga is an important place.

It is a biodiversity hotspot, with various threatened species living there. We need to stop sacrificing other life to meet the our needs and short term gains.

Birdlife Australia has the Pilliga listed as Key Biodiversity Area previously known as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. This shows the importance of the area as the international arm of Birdlife support this listing.

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.

Coal seam gas also fuels 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.
We have also seen recently the waste occurring at a well head, pure methane being released into the air in Queensland.

Most importantly the 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.

Are we so arrogant that we will override their opposition?

I have a family connection to the Pilliga and find it one of the most diverse and interesting places in NSW. I regularly visit the area and obviously inject money into the local economy. The addition of 850 gas wells to the area will certainly prevent me from further visitations.

I feel the points made above are sufficient to reject the proposal in its entirety.

This needs to stop.. Our fragile ecosystem can't take any risks and government policy should be set up to protect the interests of the environment. I am against this project happening..

Please see attached.

I formally object to the Narrabri Gas Project. My reasons are as follows:

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.
Most profoundly and importantly, the Narrabri gasfield positioning in this basin and area threatens this ancient forest ability to thrive (as it is in an essential recharge area). This also undermines the Australian peoples liberty to view the heritage (dating back from jurassic times) of the land that we live on and the Indigenous Gamilaraay people come from - and further, to understand its significance (biologically, geographically and historically). It is such a profound meaning to the identity of belonging here and pride as an Australian citizen who has growen up in NSW, to possibly lose.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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.


These are some of just many reasons at the heart of why the Narrabri Gas Project should not go ahead.

Yours sincerely and truthfullly

I object to this proposal on the following grounds; Firstly, there exists enough scientific evidence to show that coal seam gas extraction posses far too many long term environment risks, and human health to warrant its approval.

As I understand, this unnecessary project will be responsible for the production of over 35 billion litres of potentially toxic groundwater, over the life time of the project. Much of the by-product from the treating this water will be salt, yet no safe method of disposing of this by-product has been given by Santos, other than underground storage - and there is no long term studies, or example, that long term underground storage of salt is a safe and effective method of disposal. If there are such example, or studies these should be made available by Santos and the State Government in an Environmental Impact statement - which I understand have not, to date, been submitted for public examination.

The removal of vast amounts of water from the artesian basin will have a disastrous impact on ground water levels, inducing the rise in the salt levels across a wider area then the proposed gas fields, and impact upon many local communities, through their reliance on groundwater for farming and other rural business activities, as well as, the ability of local communities to draw water for human consumption.

This project will also adversely impact upon wild-life through the disturbance of habitat, and as I understand, locking up of vast areas of the Pilliga Forest. Hundreds of well sites will fragment the forest, and be injurious to the unique wild-life of the park, interfering with the movement of animals and their foraging patterns. Again, as no scientific based studies have been made on the impact on wild-life and no Environmental Impact statements have been submitted, it would be imprudent to process with this project. The visual impact of hundreds of well sites will despoil the nature and beauty of a national park - which after all has been set aside as an area to be left untouched by human development. Past state governments set this area aside for the enjoyment of the public and to protect the unique nature of the environment, and the wild-life therein.

Santos has failed to submit for pubic examination, and comment, it's propose clean-up of the hundreds of well sites. The fact is, that there is no safe, or long term method of caping these wells. I suggest that Santos will just walk away, one way or another, from their responsibility to safely cap and contain these well heads and shafts in perpetuity. That these well heads and shafts will be an enduring liability, and that liability will in the long term fall upon the taxpayers of New South Wales. For this reason alone, this proposed project should be rejected.

There is also the issue of Aboriginal sovereignty, and Aboriginal cultural issues which have not been addressed in this proposal. Considering that we are now at the first stages of negotiations with the First People's of Australia, over the issue of sovereignty, we should not proceed with this project, as this area contains significant Aboriginal cultural sites, and will impact on the local Aboriginal communities, both spiritually and culturally. Again, as Santos has not come to any agreement with the local Aboriginal peoples on this project, it should not be given approval.

The health impact from the use of chemicals used in extraction and processing of coal seam gas, and the discharge of vast amounts of methane gas, has not been rigorously asses, and no plan for the monitoring of public health over the life-span of the proposed project has been submitted for public examination or consultation. I understand that during the life-span of this proposed project no independent monitoring of methane emissions are proposed. And as has been should on numerous occasions both in Australia, and elsewhere, where coal seam gas extraction takes place, both accidental (unintended) and deliberate discharge of vast amounts of methane gas have been detected. Scientific studies in the United States of America have shown that exposure to methane is detrimental to the health of both adults and children, as well as domestic animals and wild-life.

There is no need for endangering both human life, wild- life or the environment to the impacts of this proposed gas mining field. There is already an over supply of natural gas world-wide. Australia does not need another gas mine site, such as the one proposed by Santos. We as a nation should be working towards reducing our reliance upon carbon based energy sources, such as coal seam gas. We should be working towards sustainable energy sources, like wind, solar and thermal / hydro power.

Therefore, I recommend and implore you to reject this destructive, dangerous and unnecessary project.

We need to be protecting our environment for future generations, not killing it for profit. The government needs to put the people first, not large corporations. The priorities are all wrong.
Coal seam gas mining will destroy the Pilliga forest, putting the largest groundwater aquifer at risk, the traditional owners of the land object, farmers and the local communities object, the company - Santos can not be trusted to protect the forest which contains threatened species. There has already been reports of over 20 spills by Santos which isn't good enough.
Coal seam gas mining has very negative effects on people including eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.
The risks of fires occurring will increase as the Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days.

I have so many objections to this project that it is hard to know where to start. I will start with Climate Change. Climate scientists and many world leaders have agreed there will be catastrophic consequences if we do not stop emitting greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. To say that gas is required for the transition towards a carbon-free energy system is misleading or misinformed. Models have shown that Australia can transition to a 100% renewable energy system within about 10 years. This will be even easier now that we have improved storage with batteries or pumped hydro. So, not only do we not need more gas, we can't afford this new gas if we want a livable planet.

Economically this project will be harmful to Australia. Australian gas is being exported overseas, pushing up domestic prices. At the same time mining companies are managing to pay minimal tax here and pay trivial amounts in royalties for taking our gas. We will be left with hundreds of holes in the ground, leaking methane into the air and damaged water basins. In 20 years time, who will pay for remediation of this land, if it is even possible to do? There are already thousands of abandoned mine sites around Australia that have not been restored to their former state, why will this project be any better? Tax payers dollars will eventually pay for this restoration, or that land will be abandoned.

There are, no doubt, threatened species in the area proposed for these gas wells. This has become an accepted fact, as so many Australian birds and animals are now threatened as we proceed to destroy their habitat. Those hoping to make a profit out of this project must not forget that they are also part of this fragile ecosystem, so they are also destroying their habitat.

I object to the euphemism "produced water" above. It should read "polluted water".

I also object to the fact that I am spending my valuable time writing this submission, when big dollars rather than rational thought will eventually win the argument.

In hope, for my children.
Elena Martinez
Optometrist and Greenie

Please do not forego the Australian Ecosystem by going forward with this very eco-unfriendly plan! Look around the globe, PLEASE!

No to CSG in the Piliga or anywhere else !

Our delicate ecosystems are under more pressure than ever due to many influences. That is why we must do all that we can to protect them. Coal Seam Gas mining and other similar practices, such as fracking, have been proven time again to have devestating consequences on the environment, affecting the water table, drying up creeks and rivers that have flowed for thousands of years which takes with it all the plants and animals that relied on that water to survive. Flammable gas vents in unexpected ways due to the ground damage and we end up with fire emitting from our rivers!? No corporation should have the right to destroy the health of something that belongs to all living beings, including us. Victoria has led the way by banning fracking. It's time that all states and territories did the same, including other damaging mining practices like CSG.