Narrabri Gas

I strongly oppose any CSG Gas Mining.
In the Piliga Santos' drilling could permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin -- the sole water source for towns and farms across 22% of rural Australia. It will produce 100 tonnes of salt every day at peak production.

This project is totally at odds with commonsense, public opinion, and public value.
The risks from this company's mining have already been demonstrated with over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads, as well as contamination of a fresh water aquifer with 20 times the safe level of uranium.
Residents and farmers in this extensive artesian basin are almost 100% opposed to the CSG mining as it puts at risk their vital water source - a supply that supports a significant percentage of NSW's productive farmland.
We have already see gas production in large volumes being shipped overseas with minimal return to the country and with big hikes in prices for users - including our electricity bills.
Please leave it in the ground, leave the water table intact and tell Santos that not only is the resource too risky to extract, but their efforts to handle it have already shown they are unsuitable for the task, and that they have interest only in their profits and not the well-being of Australians.

Dear fellow human being who needs oxygen to breathe, water to drink and healthy food for an awesome Life ;-)

Did you know the Australian Government is sponsoring a friend of mine to do her PhD in Climate Science recognising it's a national issue. Whether it's a natural cycle or humans have been a catalyst, we need to embrace and work with it which means protecting what natural resources we have left. It's a domino effect.

Did you know every human adult needs about 22 trees (for oxygen, absorbing our carbon dioxide and pollution minimisation etc). And trees along with crops need water, as do humans, much more so than we need gas. Yes we need to learn to live on less energy. What we're doing though as a nation could be called energy abuse. Thankfully NZ has just granted their first waterway with human rights ;-)

Protecting our environment is THE MOST important challenge facing THE WORLD today. Look at the FAILED example of the Arizona Biosphere! If we treat Mother Nature with disrespect you can bet she'll do the same and guess who will win?? We have nowhere else to go so we'd better treat the Planet (her only "habitable for humans" child) with life saving RESPECT!

Please stand strong and create new jobs by protecting, restoring and educating others about our natural habitat. Your grandchildren will be glad you did.

If you'd like more information let's have a chat ;-)

Yours sincerely,
Larissa Zimmerman
New South Wales, 2469 & Brisbane City

I am disgusted that again our State Government is prepared to allow Corporate Profits to rule over public health, coal seam gas is a destructive way to extract energy endangering the health of people who live nearby and threatening fertile farming lands.
Our water as a resource is far more valuable to the community than the extraction of CSG, the health of the artesian basin should be our priority as its the main water source for many towns and farms across rural Australia.
It also concerns me that there appears to be no plan for dealing properly with the waste salt that will result from the CSG mining.

Quite simply it's an unnecessary risk to our environment and most critically our water. Just stop, please.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project on the basis of the following negatives:
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.

This development should cease, its environmental impact is not worth the monetary gain.

Why would we gamble with our future. All we need is clean energy. We don't need more gas or coal and we certainly don't need contaminated water.

I want our government to put the future of humans and the environment before greed and the all mighty (unsustainable) dollar!! We have options!! We must invest in renewable energy.. or at the VERY LEAST stop exporting the gas that's already being extracted and use that!!!! People and environment before profits!! Please, please, please! This proposal is for a short term gain (for some) and for long term pain (for the rest)!

I object to CSG drilling and fracking.

Solar and storage can now provide cheaper power than coal and gas (with the added bonus of not destroying our climate and farmland).
Government should press ahead giving strong support for these renewables creating wind and solar farms and hydro power and wave generators until they produce enough power to meet community needs.
Strong support should also be given to domestic solar panels.
In all situations battery storage should be given priority.

I object to any drilling in the fragile Pilliga area. This is not in the best interests of the country and could irreparably damage aquifers

It's not worth the risks:
to Artesian water
increasing salinity
increasing CO2 emissions
environmental damage

No gas exploration as it cannot be good for the water systems.
Short term gain for the company, not for future populations.

Their is enough scientific proof showing what happens.

The aquafers need protection.

You know the effects, but due to profit and greed, it is ignored.

It has been shown that there is no shortage of gas supply, just a lack of sensible energy market operation and regulation.
See the upcoming Finkel report.

Furthermore, it is not worth - for short term gain, to wreck a fragile landscape.

Renewable electricity generation is now cheaper than gas in Australia.
And with the enormous efficiency gains of heat pumps, the delivered cost of heat after equipment is much lower.
Along with that, Increasingly it is possible and preferable to generate low temp industrial heat this way, which displaces previous need for gas, which is leading to a timely reduction in gas demand.

Leave the gas in the ground in sensitive bushland areas such as in the Pilliga

I am concerned that this will allow Santos, who already have a poor history of spills, to drill in an area that is hydrologically very sensitive and has important wild life. The danger to the Artesian Basin is worrying, and Australia can get all the gas it needs by diverting some of our natural gas from export.

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 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 barium. 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 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.

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 coordination. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

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.

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.

I do not support Coal Seam Gas extraction in the Pilliga or anywhere else in Australia.

I am opposed to 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

2. The Traditional Custodians, the Gamilaraay people, are opposed to the gas project as there are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath.

3. Farmers and other local community reject the project with extensive community surveys showing 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.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water. Therefore 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 barium).

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Any government permitting such a project has truly not considered the effects of it carefully. I'm sure the Precautionary Principle comes into play in this situation.

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.1.

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

I object to Santos, or any other company, to drill or mine for coal seam methane gas in the Pilliga or any other part of NSW.

Firstly, coal seam gas drilling and extraction poses serious threats to clean drinking in the region, and there is no good track record for Santos to prove they can avoid this issue.

Secondly, NSW does not need more gas supply, especially one that is so greenhouse intensive, especially when there are cost effective and reliable renewable energy and storage options available to power our grid, and therefore our businesses and homes.

It is not acceptable doe New South Wales to sell rights to its commons, in the Colorado of natural parks, water source, or impact on greenhouse gas emissions, for private benefit. It impacts not only on local communities in terms of land use and water pollution, but our global community in terms of increased gas emissions from the operation itself, as well as in the final use of the product.

As a citizen of NSW I profoundly object to Santos undertaking this project. I also have an obligation to future generations to object to projects with so many negative impacts.

The Piliga project should not proceed because of (1) risk to the artesian basin water (2) the traditional owners are opposed (3) the local farmers are opposed (4) risk of spillages (5) the loss of wildlife.