Narrabri Gas

To whom it may concern,
AS a private but concerned citizen, I object to Santos being given permission to use the Piliga forests to mine for gas,
Obviously gas is a fossil fuel and Santos is a mining company, but surely their money is better spent on developing alternative methods of powering the nation. The time for this kind of madness is long past. Lets move on ....
Santos and all the other subsidised fossil fuel companies are dinosaurs squeezing the last drops of dirty polluting fuels out of the ground before the worlds water, air and climate collapses on them.
Dont these people have children and grandchildren?
Ruth Ashton

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.

Lets make NSW CSG-Free. Victoria has already made this commitment, taken the step to protect their precious Artesian water by banning gas fracking . NSW should do the same.
Our water is too precious to risk.
Santos have already proven they can't be trusted to look after the environment and precious resources like water. They've poisoned an aquifer at Narrabri with uranium 20 times over safe levels, and there have been over 20 other reports of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water.

The risks are too great. 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.

The craziest part? Australia doesn't need new gas fields. Solar and storage can now provide cheaper power than coal and gas (with the added bonus of not destroying our climate and farmland).
Act now before it is too late- make NSW CSG-Free. Stop Santos fracking in the Pilliga or anywhere in NSW.
Our water is too precious to risk.

I support alternative solutions to energy such as solar and wind. We know it is cheaper. The only thing left to do is to convince governments to act for the future of the planet and stop thinking about the short term.

This is project is another example of big business making profits while destroying the land and endangering people's health.

There is a high probability that Santos' drilling will permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin and the communities that rely on water from the Basin.

No csg mining in the Pilliga.
Csg mining is too dangerous for the environment.
Santos can not be trusted after previous polluting incidents.
Put the environment and people's lives before money.

To Whom It May Concern

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission regarding this proposal.

Please make NSW CSG Free.

I'll keep it brief

1 Santos have already proven they can't be trusted to look after the environment and precious resources like water. They've poisoned an aquifer at Narrabri with uranium 20 times over safe levels, and there have been over 20 other reports of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water.

2 The risks are too great. Santos' drilling could permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin -- the sole water source for towns and farms across 22% of rural Australia.

3 It will produce 100 tonnes of salt every day at peak production.

4 The craziest part? Australia doesn't need new gas fields. Solar and storage can now provide cheaper power than coal and gas (with the added bonus of not destroying our climate and farmland).

5 States like Victoria are already leading the way with a permanent ban on dangerous fracking. Let's follow their example and make NSW CSG-free. Our water is too precious to risk.

References
[1] Pilliga CSG project: Concerns raised as Santos submits environmental impact statement for Narrabri gas wells, ABC Online, 21 February 2017
[2] Santos coal seam gas project contaminates aquifer, 8 March 2014, Sydney Morning Herald
[3] Great Artesian Basin coal-seam gas 'risk', The Australian, 7 November 2014
[4] 'Not seen anything like it': Pleas for extension to examine huge Santos CSG plan, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017
[5] Study : Renewables + Storage Cheapest Reliable Energy For Australia, Energy Matters, 9 March 2017

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian BasinÂ--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 areasÂ--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 RiverÂ--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 waterÂ--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 pipelinesÂ--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
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

The recent polluted water spill which included uranium contamination should show everybody why this project should not go ahead. This is thought to be one of the main water regeneration areas for the Great Artesian Basin, so why is anybody considering putting that in jeopardy? Thousands of people depend on that water, if it is polluted a large part of the country will become unlivable - the bore water is needed for towns and grazing to survive. We should not be tinkering with geology for the short term profit of a mammoth multi-national corporation, energy needs or no energy needs!
There are many other reasons that would take too long to list, the opposition of the population of the area being at the top of the list.

Dear person.
What we really need is alternative energy. We really should consider solar and wind power which will be much cheaper without destroying our environment - let it be a win win situation please. Say no to Santos CSG.

I oppose Santos drilling the Pilliga.

I object to the submisson to energy production that takes chemicals or makes by products that are dangerous to the health of the soil, air or water and harmful to humans.

Fracking is environmentally dangerous because it damages the rick layers which filter water down into our Artesian Basin. It also injects chemicals into the ground which eventually enters the water table.
Common sense would tell you that csg retrieval using this method is detrimental to the 'infrastructure ' of Australia's geological stability.
We should, YOU, Santos should be investing in sources of power which are renewable and abundant such as solar power, wind power, wave power.
Make your profits this way.

Dear Sir/madam,

1) Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth
2) our Earth is heating up due to global warming, heatwaves and droughts are predicted
3) therefore our water in Australia is more precious than gold
4) polluting/ poisoning/ contaminating our precious water irrevocably through fracking for short term gas is insanity
5) leave the gas in the ground and go renewables
There is no other option.
Kind Regards
Amanda Walsh

We have enough information from scientists and other experts to know we should not be "fracking" in this area.Not only would it be environmentally destructive, it will almost certainly contaminate the underground water, an unacceptable risk.
We also know that we must meet future energy needs from renewable sources and money and expertise should go into improving and increasing these.
All of us who care about the future are opposed to the intended destruction.
Jenny Coman
Bangalow, 2479

I address myself to the leadership of Santos, a for profit company.
Does not your collective conscience tell you that once you begin drilling the coal seam and then fracking to capture the gas, the potential to interfere with the natural workings of our subsurface aquifer is totally against the well being of every aspect of life, our environment ?
The gain to Santos will be fleeting in terms of time yet the damage to our environment will likely be irreparable and long lasting.
Leave the gas in place I say, go away and find some other, less impactive pursuit to make money.

This proposal does not appear to act on my behalf. As a taxpayer I expect greater foresight by both corporations and Government. The short term gains to NSW and Santos shareholders appear to compromise the long term risks to health, wealth and wellbeing.

I strongly object to the suggestion of this company fracking for gas anywhere near the artesian basin. There are currently other renewable sources of energy available for use. This suggestion has known environmental consequences. In 2017 such ideas need to be legally banned for current and future environmental protection.

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 object most strongly to this proposal. Gas before environmental concerns is never a good idea.