Narrabri Gas

Why would anyone plan action which will very probably cause dangerous chemicals to leak into water aquifers, which are used for crops and domestic animals? This is quite apart from the collateral damage to native fauna and flora.

We are informed by scientists that Australia has adequate gas recourses, without processing coal seam gas with all its attendant problems of pollution and desecration of both Indigenous sites and arable farm land.

A retired teacher concerned for our future generations at a time when climate change is not seriously addressed by government.

I object to the proposal.

Firstly, and most importantly, I don't think that NSW or Australia needs to be resorting to a new form of fossil fuel for our energy. With global warming presenting a serious threat to our planet's health and wellbeing (including of course, our own species), we need to be immediately switching to renewable energy sources.

Secondly, coal seam gas is too risky in terms of polluting our water. This company (Santos) has already been the cause of serious pollution in Narrabri (Santos coal seam gas project contaminates aquifer, 8 March 2014, Sydney Morning Herald ). Why should we allow them to do it again?

Thirdly, the Pillaga is a haven for threatened wildlife. Can we please give these creatures a safe place without gas wells dotted all over the place.

Finally, the traditional owners of the land are opposed to this development.

For all these reasons, I strongly oppose this proposal.

Sincerely,

Steve Gero

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.

I AM TOTALLY OPPOSED TO DRILLING FOR COAL SEAM GAS. IF THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS OF AUSTRALIA DO NOT REALISE BY NOW THE RISK SUCH DRILLING POSES FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR FRAGILE LAND I ASK THAT YOU RESIGN FROM GOVERNMENT AND ALLOW PEOPLE WHO DO VALUE OUR LAND AND RESOURCES TO MAKE WISER DECISIONS THAN THOSE BEING MADE AT THE BEHEST OF BIG BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA. THANK YOU.

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.

Onshore CSG mining has been proven to bear a risk to artesian water and other environmental damage. The majority of Australians are firmly against further development and the government must listen and reflect their wishes. We have huge offshore reserves and through government mismanagement we now face shortages. These contracts must be renegotiated so Australia has access to these reserves.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Having lived in Coonamble for many years, the 'Pilliga Scrub' was acknowledged as a special area which everyone respected.
I thought this proposition to to mine in at had been settled with a clear "No". I realise these mining companies very rarely take NO for an answer. Please make it definitive. There's enough damage already been done.
We count on you to speak for the Land that we seem to rape at will whenever there's a possibility of monetary gain.
This project will poison the water as well as damage the artesian basin. Its a whole system built up over millions of years. We're living on one of the darkest countries in the world yet seem to have lost all regard for protecting our water if it means a company can increase their wealth.
How is it that so many of us ordinary people are aware and know what needs to be said "NO" to and yet you who are the so called experts seem to bow to the pressure of these Companies (many of them from foreign lands with no real care for our land as long as it brings in the dollars for them.)
Please have the integrity, wisdom and courage to say No.
Yours sincerely P. Delaney.

I object to the Santos proposal.

My reasons for objecting are typical of those expressed by many others.................................this type of mining does nothing for anybody except those profiting directly from the project

Coal seam gas fracking is morally & ethically wrong. It doesn't benefit any long term sustainability areas; environmentally, socially or financially.
CSG destroys precious water resources, land resources and social resources of communities and Australia.
How can one sector of business decide what to do with an area that affect so many Australian animals and people now and into the future.
I object to any future CSG drilling wells because CSG businesses don't head scientific or community voices and can't be trusted.

Too risky to approve.

I am suspicious of environmental impact statements by companies seeking approvals. They appear self serving and are not peer reviewed.

I do not think fracking for coal seam gas has proven to be safe anywhere. North America has degraded land over vast areas as a result of this practice.Australia has vast aquifers underground and the threat to the purity,availability and continuing flows of these waters is real and will deny the farmers and people and wildlife of the country of their benefits. The greed of developers and the multi corporations is hastening the demise of every living thing on this earth!

The whole world has suffered the repercussions of this vile form of mining. There is nothing to be gained except your bank balance rising at the cost of this sacred land and water. The aquifers under the Pilliga are a life source for the east coast of Australia and your intended actions of dropping hundreds of wells are more than dangerous, they are ludicrous!!! All concerned are not approving of this land being raped and pillaged for your profits. There is too much at risk! Frack off Santos, your track record proves you cannot be trusted!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please, reject this proposal and protect our's and future Australian's environment.

I oppose the Narrabri Gas project for the following reasons.

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.

Could you please consider my submission and not approve the Narrabri Gas project.

It Is so obvious that coal seam gas is not the way to go ,
don't know why i should list all the reasons again when "Get Up"
and "Lock the gate Alliance" , do all that ...
we need our water , so stop the fracking , you are causing irreparable damage , we export the gas for a pittance and
damage our land , it is a short term gain for a few and a longterm
degradation of us our precious land , water, resources wildlife etc.
No to coal seam gas anywhere , anytime !!!!

This is potentially an environmental abomination and must be stopped,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Area. 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.

I just ask if everyone involved to truly think and connect with the heart of you. There are other ways to make money to provide jobs without tearing apart the earth. Have we not done enough of this as humans? Choosing to NOT go ahead with this project you make a beautiful stand for the planet, it's future and future generations. I ask if you to please do not go through with this. Thank you.

The Narrabri Gas Project creates great risks the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer.

The Great Artesian Basin with the highest recharge rates is almost entirely contained within the Pilliga East forest. There are numerous scenarios that could lead to major problems in the area. For example the water removed for CSG extraction could reduce water pressure leading to issues with springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin or contaminated water could make its way into the aquifer.

Why would we risk the whole area potentially for generations to come for just a few years worth of gas?