Narrabri Gas

Dear Sir

I wish to object most strongly to the proposed CSG extraction in the Pilliga region for the following reasons.

Firstly it is absolutely not necessary. Future power needs can be met by renewable generation and battery storage.
Exploration should be in these fields, supporting innovation and newly created jobs that will take this country into a clean energy future for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

Secondly the risk to our natural environment is too great.
Santos has very bad form in environmental damage.
To risk our forests and farmland, and to risk to the Artesian water reserves that so much depends on, is the utmost folly.

Please let Australia be seen as still the Clever Country, that does not bow to pressure to destroy our natural assets for short term gain.

Thank you
Yours sincerely
Tess Hughes

we not only already have some of the world's largest gas fields, but to extend them to put prime land at risk is, in my opinion, a form of madness. stpp it

I object to the drilling of csg wells on good arable farm land. The land and the soil are too precious to be used t his way. This gas is an integral part of our earth and the consequences of whole sale extraction is unknown, now or in the future. It is not right that this gas is being stolen from the people of Australia for private profit.

Stop Santos in the Pilliga
Santos are making a final push for the Pilliga.

The mining giant have just released their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for their Narrabri Coal Seam Gas project ÃÂ,Ã,Â-- a project that will see 850 gas wells drilled in and around the Pilliga Forest.

This is the last CSG project standing in NSW, and it's a shocker. Santos' drilling could permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin ÃÂ,Ã,Â-- the sole water source for towns and farms across 22% of rural Australia.1 It will produce 100 tonnes of salt every day at peak production.2

Make a submission and help put an end to CSG in NSW once and for all!


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Not sure what to say?
Thanks to our friends at The Wilderness Society for providing these suggested talking points.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian BasinÃÂ,Ã,Â--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 areasÃÂ,Ã,Â--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.ÃÂ,Ã,¹

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi RiverÃÂ,Ã,Â--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 waterÃÂ,Ã,Â--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 bariumÃÂ,Ã,². 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 AreaÃÂ,Ã,². The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well pads, roads, and water and gas pipelinesÃÂ,Ã,Â--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 COÃÂ,Ã,². 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.



SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated
References

Great Artesian Basin coal-seam gas 'risk', The Australian, 7 November 2014
'Not seen anything like it': Pleas for extension to examine huge Santos CSG plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017

I strongly believe that water security for the towns of the Great Artesian Basin is more important than the profits of Santos - CSG extraction is shown to be highly damaging to underground water supplies.

no matter what santos and other csg proponents state and / or guarantee, there is still no proof that csg extraction is safe - however, there is ample proof that IT IS NOT SAFE.
i refer you to just two documentaries displaying what happens when things do go wrong: Gaslands, and our own Rivers of Shame.
If you are willing to risk our water tables and future to reckless exploitation then you do not deserve to be representing the australian people....

I have seen the damage that fracking does to the underground water supply, to the surface environment, to the health of people living in the vicinity of the gas wells, and to their economic welfare with the permanent harm done to crops and stock in the region. Not only is there an immediate effect, there is also the ongoing threat hanging over the area that communities must put up with and be anxious about for years, waiting for new outbreaks of devastation to occur. The elevated cancer rates seen in communities living in proximity to fracking operations reflect not only the environmental pollution they cause but as well the pervasive and continuous anxiety engendered in everyone forced to put up with these material outcomes - men and women, mothers and fathers, and children of all ages.
No mining company has the right to cause such suffering to the people of rural communities, yet they are protected by their wealth and recourse to virtually unlimited legal resources, without which they would be forced to pay so much in compensation as to deter any company from ever considering proceeding with such an economically untenable project. What we are seeing, the weapon these companies are wielding, is jurisdictive intimidation and repudiation of the reasonable rights of citizens living in the communities near where these predators seek to do their business.
If protecting these rights requires precedent to be set, then that is what must happen. The rights of the communities under attack here must be safeguarded. The application must be denied.

I object all CSG proposals in NSW and especially anything involving Santos in the Pilliga. Santos has an extremely poor environmental record in this region and has already damaged aquifers. The preservation of aquifers must be of the highest priority and overrides any other consideration. It is the basis for the objections from most of the farming community in this region. It is also the basis on which I object to the proposed underground coal mine ear Berrima NSW, which is highly likely to damage the aquifers which ultimately filter into Sydney's water supply. In the Pilliga, the aquifers are part of the Great Artesian Basin, Australia's largest aquifer system, which must be preserved in a pure state. Serious pollution of an aquifer can be irreversible and all aquifers take a considerable time to replenish if they are drained during mining operations. Mining companies are aware of these risks and attempt to minimise them in their EIS but there is insufficient technological knowledge or capacity to guarantee against aquifer damage. There are several other reasons for objecting to Santos' CSG proposal in the Pilliga, including preservation of farmland and bushland, safeguarding the "dark sky" in the Narrabri region for astronomical research, which could be impacted by dust from CSG mining, and the bushfire dangers from methane flaring, which is done on all CSG projects and introduces dangerous greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Therefore Santos should be prevented from undertaking development of any further CSG in the Pilliga region and the community and environmental arguments should weigh much more heavily against the demand for short term profit.

This development is inconsistent with the need to recognise and act in relation to global climate change. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change. Methane is a major component of natural gas and it is 72 times more powerful than CO2.
We have been regular visitors to the Pilliga region and believe that CSG will adversely impact the beauty and serenity of the area, impacting endangered flora and fauna. The forest is home to over 200 bird species and is a world renown Bird Area.
This project requires the building of roads, gas and water pipelines, well pads etc which will greatly impact this habitat.
The traditional custodians of the region, farmers and the local communities are against this development. Local people should have the right to preserve and protect their quality of life. Community surveys indicate a 96% opposition to CSG.
The Narrabri Gas Project poses a real risk to precious water resources including the Great Artisan Basin and the Murray Darling Basin. These systems would be vulnerable to drilling fluid spills salty treated water contamination from 850 wells.

Dept. of Plnning and the Environment NSW

CSG and fracking have been proven to have significant adverse efffects on the environment which have consequences long after the projects have ceased operating.

I refer you to the many reports by Earth Justice as published in this link:
http://earthjustice.org/library/csg%20and%20fracking?page=3

Fracking uses up a lot of water, a very scarce resource in Australia. If it is done on good agricultural land our ability to produce high quality plant and animal products will be severely diminished.

Furthermore, the waste water produced contains by products harmful to agricultural production.

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission.

Joe Phillips

This Environment is important, in fact essential. We must act to ensure it stays safe, once polluted, it will take a huge amount of time, if ever to make the water safe again. This is a possibility that is unacceptable. It is not just a possibility, but a highly likely result. We must act responsibly so that there is safe water for us and future generations, let alone the flora and fauna it would affect. It is our duty to look after that which sustains us. Please, act with honour, respect and wisdom!

There are 10 main points I draw your attention to:

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.



SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated

STOP CSG!!

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.

I strongly object to the proposed Narrabri CSG project in and around the Pilliga Forrest.

The Great Artesian Basin and Murray-Darling Basin are too precious to risk contamination or reduced water pressure. CSG mining by Santos has already exposed the Pilliga to uranium, lead, arsenic, aluminium and barium spills. To allow this operation to cause any further ecological damage would be criminal.

The Gamilaraay people, farmers and local community are overwhelmingly opposed to the project. Not only do they face further contaminated water sources, but likely health risks such as air way irritation, nausea and dizziness as well as an increased chance of bushfires due to the constant methane flares.

The Pilliga is also noted as one of 15 'biodiversity hotspots' in Australia and internationally as an 'Important Bird Area' - the Narrabri CSG project would absolutely decimate the native animal population.

Any one of these points alone should be enough reason to stop CSG mining. Please put the health of our land and future generations of Australians before corporate greed - no CSG mining in the Pilliga.

Dear Sir/ Madam
I object to the Narrabri Gas Project going ahead. I feel that coal seam gas production causes grave risks to the Artesian basin, a risk we should not take.
I believe that Santos are not a company to be trusted and have a poor record in any case.
I believe the Pillaga has intrinsic value and should not be touched by mining in any case.
The water supplies to many rural towns are at risk and this is a ridiculous project. Our government should be supporting renewables, not coal seam gas.

This region is the food basin of Australia and in giving permission to Santos to do CSG drilling you are threatening there livelihoods of the region and our availability of Australian produced food.

The water supplies for the Region and beyond will be contaminated - it will poison the water! Great decision NOT

This is Australia we have very little water and none to waste by choosing to poison it for the profit of a few - money grubs you can't eat and drink $ bills.

We only have one Country, one planet STOP trying to poison us all.

The environment is precious and important not only to the Traditional land owners but the rest of Australia and the planet.

Use your BRAINS and not your bank balances to make a difference to ours and our children's survival on this 'one planet' we have to use and protect for future generations.

1. Santos cannot be trusted. Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium. In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads.
2.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 pollution. The area has been internationally recognised as a 'dark sky park and the 50m high gas flares proposed by Santos threaten the viability of the facility.
3.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.

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

Having taken in consideration below points:

- The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin.
- The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
- The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
- Extensive community surveys have shown Farmers and other local community reject the project

I have come to the decision to object to this CSG project.

I am deeply disturbed to note that Santos is going to drill 850 gas wells in the Piliga Forest. I have driven through this remote area on many occasions and am moved by the fact that it has not been destroyed by human meddling. I am further deeply disturbed that by fracking the Great Artesian Basin can be destroyed. Once the layers of rock that protect it are fractured, and seepage occurs between layers, then it is too late to ever repair this, and the GAB will be useless for the thousands of producers who depend upon it.