Narrabri Gas

We most strongly object to the proposal for Santos to carry out CSG mining in the Pilliga forest for the following reasons:
1. Santos has a proven record of polluting the environment.
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. Santos' mining could permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin - the sole water source for farms and townships across 22% of rural Australia.
3 It will produce 100 tonnes of salt every day at peak production.
4. No new gas fields are necessary. Now, solar and battery storage can provide power cheaper than coal or gas.
5. There is a world glut of gas so it is economically foolish to mine for more.
6. CSG mining has been banned in Victoria and it is time NSW did the same. Australians overwhelmingly want renewable energy, not more coal and gas.
7. Preserving our environment and our water should take precedence over new mining projects.

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.

To whom it may concern,


Do you have children, or grandchildren, or know any one who does? Do you need water? Food? Then please don't let this go through, plain and simple.

Thank you.

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.

We want to see the Pilliga forest protected from CSG and the Narrabri Gas Project.

Unique habitat and wildlife call this place home. As our extinction rate continues to increase we need to be focused on protecting what little natural forests we have particularly when our wildlife need it for survival.

The Pilliga Mouse in particular is under threat and lives nowhere else. Most Australians have never even seen one and they could be lost if the CSG project goes ahead.

Local people are also being effected, with water pollution and this directly effects their health which is unacceptable.

We strongly oppose to CSG and would like you to take every action to ensure that the people, wildlife and natural areas are protected from this.

thankyou

As a hydrogeologist working on contaminated sites I have first hand experience of the difficulty of recovering solutes and solutions from fractured rock aquifers. It is over simplistic, and deliberately misleading, to state recovery of solutions / solutes to a level that no groundwater contamination will occur.

Water is the live blood of rural communities, not to mention the environmental receptors impacted by deterioration in groundwater quality.

The proposed action should be rejected until such time adequate assessment of similar projects in other countries are evaluated to determine that CSG mining should be permanently banned in Australia.

The Pilliga is the largest intact woodland in eastern Australia and provides habitat for 48 state-listed threatened species. Its creeks feed the Murray-Darling basin, providing a vital resource for farming communities throughout south-eastern Australia.

The proposal by Santos to drill 850 coal seam gas wells throughout this region poses a significant risk to the immediate surrounds of the Pilliga. In addition, it also risks serious adverse effects to the Murray Darling basin and all who rely on it for their livelihoods.

The NSW government has a responsibility to protect this vital habitat and the ecological services it provides for many communities.

Always protect you natural, wild & public lands.

Coal seam gas is harmful to human health and contributes to climate change. We need to put conservation and protection of our natural resources as a highest priority. There are alternative forms of energy that should be taking precedence. Local farmers and the First Australians are opposed to this project and their voices should be taken more seriously. Any activity that poses a significant threat to water supply should not be allowed to take place.

I believe that the use of unconventional gas extraction techniques proposed for the Pilliga Stae Forest will prove detrimental to the environment and residents of the area. Until the time this method of gas extraction is scientifically proved to not degrade water or forest or humans, it cannot be allowed to go ahead. The environment we live in must be protected because it sustains life.... also, I will vote for the political party who does it's utmost to preserve it for generations to come.
Please take the time to conduct proper scientific assessment to ensure the safety of the Pilliga State Forest.

As an Australian, I want our forests protected., I am very concerned about long terms harms to water flora and fauna from Coal Seam Gas exploration and mining.

The Pilligra region is to be protected, and not destroyed by rapacious companies.
Santos especially do not care about the environment, and know that their drilling for CSG has profound, irreversible consequences.
The Narrabri Gas Project will result in contaminated
salty treated water and contaminated flow from drilling fluid spills reaching the aquifers.
That concern alone should put a halt to drilling.

Most farmers in the area are vehemently opposed to drilling - they know and understand how vital it is to have healthy, productive land. Listen and accept their local knowledge, or farmers will be forced to abandon their lands ; the consequences of that alone is horrifying.

The Piligra region has a history of severe bushfires.
The possibility of igniting bushfires from methane flare stacks is not to be ignored, as the consequences of bushfires scar the environment for decades.

The Gamilaraay people don't want CSG mining to proceed, and Santos knows this. How arrogant that Santos chooses to ignore such an important issue.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Now is a critical moment in the campaign to protect the Pilliga forest! We are lodging a submission against Santos' Narrabri Gas Project to help end CSG in NSW once and for all! The local community of the Pilliga has spearheaded the campaign against this project for years--now is the time for all Australians to stand with them in the final push for the Pilliga! Anyone can make a submission and every submission will be counted.

There is no angle by which the proposed Narrabi Gas Project will be worth the destruction it wreaks.
The Pilliga forest is home to several threatened species, and without the forest, these species are being pushed closer and closer to the brink of extinction. Each animal that is lost is a life; these lives are in your hands.
The traditional owners of the land, the Gamilaraay people, have deep, cultural ties to the land. They, as well as the surrounding community, are opposed to the project. To give the coal seam gas a green light would be going completely against the desires of the people, in favour of the interests of big business. This is blatantly corrupt, senseless and will be another item on the list of reasons why Australia should have absolutely zero faith or respect for their government.
The most glaringly obvious fact is that coal seam gas ensures a dimming future for the world at large. CSG fields leak methane into the atmosphere, methane being a greenhouse gas 72 times as potent as CO2, which pushes our planet further into a state of warming and further towards the point of no return. It leaks toxic CSG water into the surrounding area. It is a risk to human and animal health because of the pollution of the groundwater aquifers. Fossil fuels are not sustainable. Please, for the sake of life and everything that is beautiful, focus on innovative technologies and renewable sources that allow us to live in harmony with wildlife and ecosystems. I understand that there is a sense of desensitization when these issues are so prevalent, but I am sure that if it was possible to have a vision of a future with a healthy planet, there would be few people who would not prefer it. This is a possible future; we just need to start taking the right steps, starting with the conservation of the Pilliga forest.

We do not need CSG.

The Narrabri Gas project poses a real threat to the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling Basin.
The Pilliga is nationally listed as a Biodiversity Hotspot and internationally as an Important Bird Area. Fragmentation by roads, pipes and gas pads would damage the environment and threaten the survival of several endangered species.
Cultural sites of the Gamilaraay traditional owners would be destroyed against their will.
Local farmers are opposed to the project as it threatens their livelihoods.
Santos have already contaminated aquifers and have a history of poor environmental management.
CSG contributes to climate change as methane is leaked during production, transportation and processing of CSG.

Please consider cancelling the Narrabri Gas Project because the Gamilaraay people, farmers and the local community at large are opposed to it, plus the Pilliga harbours threatened wildlife.

In this modern day and age, where we have access to renewable energy, I have difficulty in understanding why we need to waste one of our most precious resources (water) to extract gas from under the ground, when in so doing, we pollute the water table.
What good will gas be to us when there is no drinkable water left?
What good will the gas be when we can't water our crops?
What will we eat?
Gas?
Money?