Narrabri Gas

I am making a submission on the Narrabri Gas Project
I strongly object to this proposed project on environmental, social, community and economic grounds. The proposed project is an enormous threat to invaluable and vital underground water resources (Artesian Basin). It would have a destructive impact on other environmental issues including the level of waste it would produce and would destroy vast tracts of forest, flora and endanger some native fauna and lead to the extinction of others. It would destroy farming properties, livelihoods and communities. There is no compelling economic case for the project and any economic benefits would accrue to a few already wealthy and privileged interests such as multi national organisations, In the interests of our nation, our local and regional communities, our precious environment and our standards of living please do not allow this project to proceed.

Save the Piliga. Renewables are cheaper then gas, 850 gas wells will destroy 1000ha of forest. this land can not be regenerated by planting, which will not reinstate what was destroyed. 26 threatened species will be further impacted. temperate woodland is already decimated from its original range. we have a stewardship to the land not to further fragment the forest. common ecological knowledge is that once 70% of the ecosystem is gone the ecosystem goes into collapse. we are past this point. save the ast fragment. Australia does not choose short term financial gains for extinctions of native plants animals and ecological systems. to not factor in the irreversible costs associated with gas extraction is environmental discounting. Water aquifers and their purity are worth far more than the insignificant revenue gained from gas extraction.

This is a democracy. Despite all attempts to draw the curtain over these environmentally devastating projects while they bide their time, waiting for approval from those not qualified to give it, we, the people, know what this corrupt government is doing; selling our water, our land, our rights to the highest bidder. They do not speak for us, and their decisions are not ours. In a country that has declared itself a place of equal rights and freedoms for all, a plan that flies so blindly in the face of resounding public opposition should be considered a crime, and the corporation that would perpetrate such reckless acts of vandalism, an enemy of Earth and all humanity.

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.

please stop destroying Australia's land and water. Leave it alone!

Please don't put our water resources at risk they are vital and precious!

Please abide the wishes of The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians. The are opposed! Once again trespassing their sacred land and cutting out their voice.

Support farmers and the local community by leaving the land and water sources ALONE.
"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." - See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.i77Uk7Ry.dpuf

This will threaten wildlife, compromise our own health, and the over all health of the earth as it will fuel dangerous climate change with the leakage of gasses like methane.

THIS IS NOT OK

I wish to raise an objection to the Narrabri Gas Project on behalf of Stop Coal Seam Gas Blue Mountains, a group comprising nearly 450 mostly Blue Mountains residents. We believe the project should receive no further consideration for the reasons which follow:

(1) Firstly because of the lack of detail given in the EIS which provides no maps indicating the location of the 850 wells, lines and associated infrastructure. Santos is basically saying "trust us" but given their past record, trust is anything but what should be afforded them. An EPA report obtained under freedom of information legislation in 2014 by the Sun Herald and the Greens noted questionable safety procedures, leaking ponds, inadequate monitoring and unreliable analytical methods. Santos has a terrible history of the abuse of due process and has been inept at handling hazardous chemicals and waste products. Santos has experienced spills from evaporation ponds, pipelines, the waste-water treatment facilities and at well sites. A 10,000 litre spill polluted hectares of the Pilliga Forest and caused soil damage and tree deaths. Their operations polluted an aquifer with uranium and other heavy metals.

Their record of non-reporting of adverse events is now well acknowledged and prosecutions have followed. Santos has shown a total lack of responsibility in the past and this inadequately supported application shows an amazing arrogance and apparent belief that their irresponsible activities should be allowed to continue.

(2) Santos plan to clear 1,000 ha of the Pilliga forest. The Pilliga woodland is the largest and most intact eucalypt woodland in eastern Australia. It is a unique ecological refuge in a heavily cleared agricultural belt. It is home to many woodland species struggling to survive, including glossy-black cockatoos, barking owls, eastern pygmy possums, koalas, red-capped robins, regent honeyeaters and the unique Pilliga mouse which lives nowhere else. All up, 25 nationally listed and 48 state listed threatened species rely on the Pilliga for survival. The approval of this project will sanction the death and possible extinction of huge numbers of these animals and that is morally criminal. The forest's value lies in its flora and fauna, not in the dollars which will flow to Santos.

(3) The removal of 37.5 GL of groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin which Santos will require over the life of the gasfield cannot be justified. The loss of this vital resource in one of the driest continents on earth, particularly as droughts will be a much greater feature of our climate as climate change progresses, would be catastrophic and sadly for no good purpose.

(4) The CSG industry has no solution to the disposal of salt left after extracting and treating ground water. Peak salt production at this project will be a huge 115 tonnes per day or 41,900 tonnes per year to go into landfill. This will be an environmental disaster for wherever Santos decides to deposit its waste.

(5) The local Gomeroi people have a strong cultural connection to the Pilliga landscape and the thousands of cultural sites, plants and animals within the forest. The fragmentation and industrialisation proposed by Santos will have a big impact on the Gomeroi heritage and connection to country.

(6) The considerable health risks posed by CSG activities are not addressed in Santos' social impact assessment. There is now a large body of research especially coming from the US where the industry has been operating much longer that exposes those risks.

Locally the 2013 report 'Is Fracking Good for your Health' by the Australia Institute and The Social Justice Initiative has examined available research and concluded:

"This report finds that unconventional gas should not be endorsed from an environmental and human health perspective and states that the current case against further expansion of the industry is overwhelming."

There has been little concern for or efforts to investigate the numerous and serious health impacts reported by the people in the region of Tara, Qld or Camden NSW who have found themselves living near CSG operations. Their experiences need to be considered in conjunction with the published research in any submission by Santos.

Allowance must also be made (but wasn't in the Santos application) for fugitive emissions which happen frequently enough in current operations but almost inevitably over time in supposedly sealed off, no longer producing wells. The methane they leak is not only a health hazard but a major contributor to global warming.

(7) Jobs are often cited as a justification for environmentally destructive projects to proceed. However, modern mining is becoming increasingly mechanised and few long term jobs can be expected. In this case, after the construction phase is over, only 145 jobs will remain. There is now a much greater realisation within the community that dirty power and the dirty jobs that produce it reside in the past. Whether the fossil fuel companies accept it or not, Australia and the rest of the world will be moving towards renewables at an ever faster pace and it is in this sector where many sustainable jobs will be created.

(8) There is no plausible justification for the project to proceed. When the enormous harm caused to the environment, the local Narrabri Shire economy and society is weighed against the economic gains (mostly going to Santos), the evidence against it is overwhelming. This project has become necessary because Santos and other big gas companies have contracted to sell more gas overseas than the CSG fields in Queensland can produce. Given that most Australian states have no gas reservation policy for local supply, gas shortages and outages are being experienced at the same time gas prices are at an all time high in line with overseas prices. In fact Australia has had to buy Australian gas back from overseas companies. This is a preposterous situation that will not be resolved by Santos plundering this environmentally critical area. Surely Santos' profit should not be the only justification for approval of this project.

The future of an entire ecosystem is at stake here. There is no turning back from CSG mining, it is insidious and will destroy the water sources of the area let alone pollute it from the ground up. This must be stopped now in its tracks. No Santos the people of Australia will not stand for this pollution and desecration of sacred land. History will be made here. Be on the right side of it.

Submission attached in PDF format.

Don't destroy animals habitats

To whom it may concern,

I have read and fully understood the content of this submission, which has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan with light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory. I wholeheartedly agree with it.
It is a simple solution, as recommended by the NSW EPA to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.
Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy. First established in Coonabarabran NSW, on the Warrumbungle Ranges in the 1960's it was built here because of the dark skies in this region. While there is historic value of this site from telescopes established over 50 years ago, this observatory hosts the largest optical telescopes from national and international universities and research entities. Not only hosting the largest, this site hosts the second, third, fourth, fifth largest telescopes etc in Australia, playing a key role in science research across the Southern Hemisphere. Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia, but moved elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
From 2013 onwards light emissions from the Santos gasfield exploration have increased to the point that, just the Bibblewindi large flare and unmanned facility alone, creates more light pollution than the entire town of nearby Coonabarabran with over 3500 people residing there. Santos have listed plans to triple the amount of pilot flares and double the amount of large flares including constructing 50 metre high flare stacks, with an average 30 metre high flame above it. Nowhere do they list the EPAs recommended practice to enclose flares, as has been done in NSW areas such as Gloucester. Enclosing flares is the only acceptable mitigation to protect the scientific community from the unnecessary light pollution they plan to emit. Siding Spring Observatory already has to deal with light pollution from existing mining and regional towns. Even Sydney itself, from over 400kms away can affect research from its light glow. Santos are a lot closer than this. Every bit of extra light pollution is making it more difficult to continue the leading scientific research, and while each pollute in different levels, most consider they aren't doing any damage. But it's the combination with the existing light sources, adding a cumulative effect which is becoming worse as more pollution is created.
In summary, this is a simple fix in this case, as while Santos building infrastructure is willing to comply with shielded lights for buildings, they need to go a step further and enclose all current and future flares as the NSW EPA recommend. It is the only acceptable solution.
Thanks, and
Sharon Yoxall

Where to submit
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6456
(Click link then scroll to bottom)
Please copy and paste or add your own information. Privacy is an option if you do not want your name made public. Take this opportunity now to help protect Siding Spring Observatory. There will not be another chance.

Stop!

I recently spent a few days in the Pilliga Forest and strongly disagree with any decision to search for gas in this area. This forest is beautiful, and sacred to the local indigenous people. There is no proof that the mining will not damage the water supplies in the area which is used by the local farmers to irrigate their crops.

Stop csg ,ruins our Artesian basin,habitat for our native animals,deforestation of our land, short term gain for money that will not be able to put the country back as it was.
NO MINING OF ANYKIND

To whom it may concern,
The members of the Clarence Valley Astronomical Society, who are passionate about saving our pristine dark skies, reject completely Santos refusal to enclose there gas flares.

This submission has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan with light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory. It is a simple solution, as recommended by the NSW EPA to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.

Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy. First established in Coonabarabran NSW, on the Warrumbungle Ranges in the 1960's it was built here because of the dark skies in this region. While there is historic value of this site from telescopes established over 50 years ago, this observatory hosts the largest optical telescopes from national and international universities and research entities. Not only hosting the largest, this site hosts the second, third, fourth, fifth largest telescopes etc in Australia, playing a key role in science research across the Southern Hemisphere. Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia, but moved elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

From 2013 onwards light emissions from the Santos gasfield exploration have increased to the point that, just the Bibblewindi large flare and unmanned facility alone, creates more light pollution than the entire town of nearby Coonabarabran with over 3500 people residing there. Santos have listed plans to triple the amount of pilot flares and double the amount of large flares including constructing 50 metre high flare stacks, with an average 30 metre high flame above it. Nowhere do they list the EPAs recommended practice to enclose flares, as has been done in NSW areas such as Gloucester. Enclosing flares is the only acceptable mitigation to protect the scientific community from the unnecessary light pollution they plan to emit. Siding Spring Observatory already has to deal with light pollution from existing mining and regional towns. Even Sydney itself, from over 400kms away can affect research from its light glow.

Santos are a lot closer than this. Every bit of extra light pollution is making it more difficult to continue the leading scientific research, and while each pollute in different levels, most consider they aren't doing any damage. But it's the combination with the existing light sources, adding a cumulative effect which is becoming worse as more pollution is created.

In summary, this is a simple fix in this case, as while Santos building infrastructure is willing to comply with shielded lights for buildings, they need to go a step further and enclose all current and future flares as the NSW EPA recommend. It is the only acceptable solution.

Thankyou, Steve Fletcher, secretary Clarence Valley Astronomical Society.

To whom it may concern,

It's tiring to have to continually speak the obvious; that is, that our aquifers are important to the sustenance of our children's future.

Even if this country's underground water is only poisoned a little bit through coal or gas mining, to risk any contamination at all is pure madness.
The Narrabri, and our entire giant underground acquifers, are valuable to all life in this country.
Imagine what our children will think if there is no clean water to drink, or to grow food with, in the future.
Everyone, other than right-wing extremists, knows that there are alternatives.
Yours faithfully,
Penny Quarry.

I am against the all new mines from being created.
To open another mine would be an act of absolute stupidity especially once one has considered any level of common sense or listened to someone who actually understands the environment. Stop giving the human race a bad name. Stop mining all together

I oppose the Narrabri Gas Project because it is environmentally unfriendly and there are other alternatives which should be implemented which do not damage the environment, such as solar. The local people do not want the damaging effects that this project will produce, ie. toxic substances into important groundwater, clearing of forest areas which are home to important wildlife and social distress for the local aboriginals and other residents. I feel the disadvantages of this project outweigh the need for gas in human society. We have other sources of energy to turn to and must use renewable energy and not damage the environment. So please do not go against the peoples wishes, please do the right thing and say no to GSC in NSW and Australia.

To whom it may concern,
This submission has been written to draw attention to the unacceptable impacts of Santos current plan with light pollution from their upcoming 850 gaswells and flares near Siding Spring Observatory. It is a simple solution, as recommended by the NSW EPA to enclose all flares, not just for emissions and cleaner burning, but also to reduce the amount of unnecessary light pollution from giant flames lighting the night sky.
Siding Spring Observatory is Australia's only unique science research facility using the largest optical telescopes for astrophysics and astronomy. First established in Coonabarabran NSW, on the Warrumbungle Ranges in the 1960's it was built here because of the dark skies in this region. While there is historic value of this site from telescopes established over 50 years ago, this observatory hosts the largest optical telescopes from national and international universities and research entities. Not only hosting the largest, this site hosts the second, third, fourth, fifth largest telescopes etc in Australia, playing a key role in science research across the Southern Hemisphere. Over 50 telescopes are listed across the site being used by over 30 universities, institutions and private businesses using cutting edge technology, with some of the most advanced telescopes being used is astrophysical research. Future plans include another 50 telescopes to be built on site within the next decade. All this is reliant on keeping the dark sky dark! If this area was to lose the dark sky, this observatory would not be replicated again in Australia, but moved elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
From 2013 onwards light emissions from the Santos gasfield exploration have increased to the point that, just the Bibblewindi large flare and unmanned facility alone, creates more light pollution than the entire town of nearby Coonabarabran with over 3500 people residing there. Santos have listed plans to triple the amount of pilot flares and double the amount of large flares including constructing 50 metre high flare stacks, with an average 30 metre high flame above it. Nowhere do they list the EPAs recommended practice to enclose flares, as has been done in NSW areas such as Gloucester. Enclosing flares is the only acceptable mitigation to protect the scientific community from the unnecessary light pollution they plan to emit. Siding Spring Observatory already has to deal with light pollution from existing mining and regional towns. Even Sydney itself, from over 400kms away can affect research from its light glow. Santos are a lot closer than this. Every bit of extra light pollution is making it more difficult to continue the leading scientific research, and while each pollute in different levels, most consider they aren't doing any damage. But it's the combination with the existing light sources, adding a cumulative effect which is becoming worse as more pollution is created.
In summary, this is a simple fix in this case, as while Santos building infrastructure is willing to comply with shielded lights for buildings, they need to go a step further and enclose all current and future flares as the NSW EPA recommend. It is the only acceptable solution.
Regards
Thea Parle

I object to this project being granted approval 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 Narrabri Gas Project has a long history of spills and leaks of toxic CSG water--Santos cannot be trusted to manage the project safely.
3. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas.
4. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife.
5. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change.
6. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions.
7. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project.
8. Farmers and other local community reject the project and also the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed.
9. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk.
It is for these reasons that I sincerely oppose this destructive development.
Thank you for accepting my submission.

CSG mining has been shown to be completely unsustainable.

The risk of the Narrabri Gas Project in terms of its potential negative impacts far outweigh any benefits.