Narrabri Gas

Tearing up country for fossil fuels is a tragedy. There is an alternative in renewable energy. Please stop this.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian BasinÂ--AustraliaÂ's largest groundwater aquifer
I believe that 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

Furthermore 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. Recently the Native Title Act was not watered down as George Brandis would have wished. 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. we are dependent on farmers for food. 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. I do not believe any profit seeking company is motivated by safety concerns. 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. we are losing species on a daily basis. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is one of 15 nationally listed Â`biodiversity hotspotsÂ' 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. Australia is a long way behind the climate change strategy to adopted in the Paris Accoed. 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 nationÂ'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 Â`dark sky parkÂ'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. NSW has already suffered catastrophic bush fires. Further risk of fires would increase throughout the PilligaÂ'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.

Allowing non-conventional gas extraction is not acceptable as the technology is destructive and proven to be detrimental to the environment.

Coal seam is a destructive band aid to an inevitable problem. We need sustainable energy sources. We have the technology just not the support of the government.

I strongly object to further destruction of our remaining natural resources for any reason. Both fracking and mining are proven to have disastrous effects on the environment and human health. Please, stop destroying our natural environment.

Given what is happening around the world in relation to similar Gas Projects our government should not even be considering such projects in our country. Listen to the people, we do not want this project to go ahead. There is plenty of documentation and evidence that supports this is an extremely bad idea for our communities and the environment.

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 am confident the project will proceed safely having attended the information sessions and researched both sides of the discussion for and against the project. Having worked in underground and surface mining and relied heavily on similar science and engineering for my safety I am satisfied that there will be no additional risk presented to myself or my family in living in Narrabri from water quality or air pollution,
or any reduction in town amenity if this project goes ahead.
Happy to be contacted in regard to my support of this project.

Temporary means to finite ends is illogical in today's age of understanding. Destroying the planet for profit is modelled for failure the global community can do better for every step closer is one closer to extinction. We have the minds and we have the means clean energy infinite in nature as energy is will never be met if these outdated projects are supported to continue.

To the NSW Department of Planning and Environment

This is a submission to the Narrabri GAS EIS.

I object to this project.

I object for the following reasons:

- it will extract over 35 billion liters of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first vive years. This water will be treated and in the early years will generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt, for which there is no safe disposal plan.
- It will clear close to 1000 hectares of the Piliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife
- It will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifier of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western New South Wales
- It will lead to large, deliberate and fugitive emissions of methane, far worsening current climate change
- It will cause more trauma to the regional indigenous community because the area of impact is crucially important to the spiritual, cultural and social life of the Gamilaraay people
- It is not justified: Santos' own Coal Seam Gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. New South Wales should respond to this by investing in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy, not by letting Santos inflict more environmental, social and economic harm
- It will cause economic upheaval in Narrabri and put agricultural industries at risk, as well as causing light pollution that will ruin the dark night sky needed by the internationally renowned Sliding Spring Observatory
- Coal Seam Gas I harmful to health. Neither the New South Wales Government nor Santos have investigated or dealt with the serious health effects of Coal Seam Gas now appearing in peer-reviewed research in the United States

I urge you to consider all of the points that have been made and bring a stop to the Narrabri Gas EIS project.

Dear Sir/Madam

I OPPOSE THE NARRABRI GAS PROJECT ON THE FOLLOWING GROUNDS:

FAILURE TO MITIGATE HAZARDS TO ASTRONOMY Ref: EIS Appendix Q (GHD) and section 5.3.3; SSD 14_6456 Santos has failed to ensure that vital astronomical assets of the Commonwealth of Australia, and 50 other international research institutions, are not detrimentally impacted by the operation of a large gas field and gas processing equipment to the north of Siding Spring.

Over the years, major public funds have been invested in these world class facilities for astronomy. Australian taxpayers and science institutions are rightly deserving of protection of this asset.

There is no recognition of the cumulative impact of future expansion from PEL238 to other gas licence areas much closer to the observatory. Santos has not proposed adequate mitigation measures to protect the observatory operations, particularly in not ensuring the clarity of the night sky from light pollution impacting negatively on visible light telescopy, and from not preventing an increase in chemical air pollution impacts on delicate instrumentation and mirror surfaces. It has also not recognised or mitigated chemical air pollution impacts on the Narrabri radio telescope facilities.

There is no recognition in the Santos EIS that air pollution (Chapter 18) at times will concentrate in certain weather conditions, such as during temperature inversions or cloudy, still nights and drift southward towards the observatory. Air pollution from gas fields is well-documented but has not been correctly identified in Chapter 18. It comprises methane, ethane, butane, and some higher hydrocarbons that can form ozone smog in sunlight, especially mixed with flaring combustion products like nitrous oxide. There is also hydrogen sulphide. This air pollution is not documented in the EIS by Santos.

Gas field smog is highly corrosive on delicate instrumentation and can cause smog haze. Santos have failed to propose adequate mitigation measures to minimise the impact of light pollution from flaring operations - in fact, no flare shielding is proposed. Two major flare stacks will likely operate continuously at Bibblewind and Leewood. Santos has under-estimated the likely continuous operation of these stacks and not proposed adequate shielding. Santos has under-estimated the amount of light pollution and has contradictory statements in the EIS about the number of flares - at one point it is stated that there will be `up to 6' (5.3.3) pilot well flares, but in other parts of the EIS it is estimated over 25 pilot flares (Greenhouse Gas Chapter 24) will be operational at any time. The NSW EPA recommends that flare stacks be shielded.

Chapter Q mentions the potential high light pollution impact of major flare events but `talks down' the frequency of such events. This is NOT the experience in the QLD coal seam gas fields. The Santos EIS does not reflect practical on the ground experience of coal seam gas field operations. The reality of gas fields is that gas supply restrictions mean that gas flaring can occur whenever the market is not drawing gas from the Project. This means that flaring can be a constant feature of an operational gas field. Claims by Santos that flaring will be minimal are simply not supportable.

It is inconceivable that the negative impacts of the Project on Siding Spring would be acceptable to Australian and international astronomers nor to the Australian public who have heavily invested in these world class facilities. I do not consider light and air pollution that will be caused by the Project has been effectively mitigated by Santos's proposed mitigation measures

To Whome It May Concern,

I am concerned that Santos' drilling could permanently damage the Great Artesian Basin -- the sole water source for towns and farms across 22% of rural Australia.

To my understanding, 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.

There are also many other concerns with thow the CSg operation will affect wildlife, farming and other enterprises in the area. All of this combined means the risk is both unacceptable and necessary for the short-term financial pay off.

Sincerely,
Brendan Mays

I Sylvie Alicia Talbot, am a Sovereign Gomeroi Yinaar, and a member of the Gamilaraay Nation. My Ancestry goes back thousands of generations upon the Liverpool Plains. The Songlines of my Ancestors extend throughout Billaga, which you identify by the name Pilliga State Forest. I am linked through our Moiety System to the Sovereign and Traditional Custodians of Bilaga.
I would like to clearly and thoroughly state my objection to this Santos Project on several grounds.
1. Flawed Methodology -
a. In the consultation processes and protocols
b. Unanswered questions and unaddressed key concerns.
c. Failure to identify or recognise cultural significance.
d. Past harm & failed remediation
2. Social Impacts -
a. Ignoring evidence of previous social impact.
b. Failure to identify social impacts specific to the Gomeroi People within the scope of study.
3. Lack of understanding or acknowledgement of Cultural Significance -
a. Overlooking or ignoring the spiritual and religious aspect of Cultural Significance.
b. Underestimation of harm on a spiritual/religious basis.
1) Flawed Methodology
a. Consultation
-The basis of the methodology used in contacting interested parties is flawed. This Project is not only significant to those members of the Gamilaraay Nation who currently live on Country in the immediate vicinity of Billaga -the Pilliga State Forest- but also to those who live away from Country for work, education, family, etc. Those no less culturally and spiritually connected to this land.
The scope of the first stage of identifying interested parties should have been much broader to reach those, working, studying and living at least across and beyond the whole of the Gamilaraay Nation's boundaries.
Advertisements should have been placed in City and interstate media as well as culturally specific media such as The Koori Mail.
The consultation process as a result has been severely compromised.
b. Unanswered Questions and Unaddressed Key Concerns
- No solution has been offered within the entire 7000 page EIS as to the question of what will be done with the 42000t per annum of highly contaminated salts that will be produced, despite repeated requests for an answer by numerous individuals and Community groups during the essentially flawed consultation process. How can consideration for approval be afforded to a project that has not proposed a solution to one of the key concerns identified by numerous stakeholders including the NSW Chief Scientist?
- The many species of Flora and Fauna yet to be thoroughly and formally identified by the scientific process have been overlooked. Though the knowledge of the extreme diversity of the ecology within the study area was well known to our Ancestors, there is a lack of modern scientific research, which vastly underestimates this gap in knowledge. The potential for identifying new species is certain and the value of Billaga as an area of research and field study is extremely high. Pilliga State Forest has been protected and kept as an intact ecology for a good reason. The conservation value was recognised long ago. A full and thorough understanding of the biodiversity has yet to be achieved by science. Fracturing this diverse habitat with well pads, service roads, settlement ponds, RO plants and vehicle movements, not to mention biosecurity hazards, the likelihood of spills and leaks and other uncertainties is not in any way manageable nor acceptable.
- The use of Santos biased scientific evidence has failed to address the voluminous evidence, research, and case studies coming from the USA and Queensland to the contrary of their own findings. Water drawdown figures are grossly underestimated as has been shown by the vast differences between estimations and actuality in SE Queensland using the same methodology. Human and Animal Health studies linking CSG development to Cancer, birth anomalies, breathing and respiratory conditions and mental health problems, show there is reason for concern. Economic data is questionable. The environmental impacts are becoming more and more evident as long term impacts are studied. The uncertainty and discrepancy between sources of evidence and research are a cause of major concern, and the disregard of objectionable reference cannot be overlooked. Due diligence must be applied.* see references.
c. Failure to recognise or identify cultural significance
- Use of old and incomplete records and lack of thorough on the ground surveying of the vast project area has identified only a fraction of the Significant and Sacred sites and areas within Billaga that we know exist. The nature of Sacredness means that many sights are not formally recorded, but passed down through oral tradition. Minimisation of harm can never be achieved by failure to identify, nor is the principle of avoidance achieved by refusal to recognise.
- There is a failure to recognise the entire Geographical Area of Pilliga State Forest as being of high Cultural Significance. This area is the hunting and training grounds for our men. The Songlines, waterways, flora, and fauna are all crucial to the continuation of our cultural education of our youth. Billaga, the "place of spears" and our continued use of its natural resources are vital in the survival of our culture.
- There is a failure to recognise the cultural significance and importance of waterways, waterholes, and groundwater to the Gomeroi people and the Gamilaraay Nation, as well as our neighbours. These waterways make up part of the Songlines and are how we are able to survive and thrive upon a country others may see as useless, but to us is our Garden of Eden. They are scared to our Women's Lore and crucial to our cultural survival. Without these waters there can be no birth, without birth, both we the Gomeroi people and the fauna we call our brothers and sister, will perish. Our Dreaming and our Lore teaches us that water is Life. The Dreaming of the entire Country started with water and the songlines of the dreaming go from waterhole to waterhole. The waterways are in our songs, in our art, in our stories. The waterholes and waterways of Billaga and the Artesian Basin that feeds them and feeds from them, are all of the highest significance to the Gomeroi people. We the women of the Gamilaraay Nation have a duty under Women's Lore to our Ancestors and to Biame the Father, to protect our Sacred waters. We will not allow our waters to be polluted; the right to clean water is a basic human right.
- The Significance of the sky to our people had been totally overlooked. The Astronomical knowledge of the Gamilaraay is well documented through colonial records is a crucial tool in our survival. Our ability to read the skies both day and night allows us to navigate, to know the seasons for hunting, for the cycles of certain animals and plants and to give us indications of weather, fire and many other environmental factors. The stories of our Dreaming are told within the stars. The necessity to flare within a gas field is well known yet the light pollution caused and the adverse effect has not been sufficiently evaluated. Not only our Ancestors have recognised the Astronomical Significance of the night skies in Billaga, for many thousands of years, but also by the Australian and International Scientific communities as extremely valuable. The threat to such a valuable natural asset, and to cause uncertainty to the future of the research industry based around the field of Astronomy in the region cannot be ignored.
d. Past harm & failed remediation
- Past and continued desecration of Bohena Creek, a waterway that holds great Cultural significance and forms part of our Dreaming and Songline network, have never been addressed to the satisfaction of the Gomeroi people. Our requests to avoid this precious and sacred water source are dismissed and ignored.
-The widescale destruction, vast Dead Zones and numerous breaches in conditions that have been addressed with token fines and failed rehabilitation attempts are entirely unacceptable. We know Billaga to be what science terms a feeder zone for the Artesian Basin. The water that flows through the sand on the ground also flows to the groundwater below. To contaminate the surface will contaminate what is below. The Artesian Basin is the most important and relied on water sources in the driest continent in the world. It is not just the future of the Gomeroi that is uncertain.
The uncertainty surrounding any ability for Santos to manage harm in the future is in violation of the Precautionary Principle, which should underline all beaurocratic planning processes, especially in regard to environmental and cultural factors.
3) Social Impact
a. Ignoring evidence of previous social impact.
-All evidence of adverse social impact has been ignored or overlooked. Numerous studies from both the USA and SE Queensland gasfields have shown the impacts upon health, mental health, and long-term economics of communities in proximity to development and production areas. Ignoring them does not make these effects go away. * see references

The social impacts are lasting whilst the economic benefits are not.
b. Failure to identify the specific social impacts upon the Original People within the scope of study.
The Social Impacts specific to the Gomeroi people have not been taken into account. There is no mention of the higher rents that a housing poor community is already experiencing due to the exploration phase of CSG development. No mention of the sickness in the hearts of our people when they say no, but are ignored. No mention of the damage done to the souls of our young people, to be told the only way to get ahead is to work in a gas field that goes against the lore of your Ancestors who told us that we must Do No Harm. No Mention of the physical pain our people feel when visiting the dead zone or the emotional trauma of the likelihood of similar or worse incidents occurring in the future. The sources of our physical, mental and emotional wellness are intrinsically linked to our Country. If our Country gets sick, we get sick. The deadzones in Billaga cannot be remediated, nor can the harm done to the Gomeroi people through the destruction that is taking place on our Country. Social Impacts on the Gomeroi are linked to our Spirituality, which has not been taken into account.
3) Lack of understanding or acknowledgement of Cultural Significance -
a. Overlooking or ignoring the Spiritual aspect of Cultural Significance
The defining of cultural significance has failed to identify the highly spiritual nature of Connection to Country. The cultural significance of "place" is not limited solely to the physical place but also reaches to a spiritual level equivalent to Religion. The spiritual and Religious significance of Billaga, to myself and all Gamilaraay people extends through the land itself, the waterways running across it, as well as the vast groundwaters below, now known as the Great Artesian Basin, which is of vital importance to the continuation of our Jukulpa, our Dreaming, our Spiritual existence. These waters are of the highest significance in not only the Creation and Dreaming of our people but also are highly sacred according to our Women's Lore, the spiritual and religious teachings of our Women since time immemorial.
We are members of the Oldest Living Culture and continuous Religion on Earth. To threaten our Spiritual and Religious practice and beliefs as taught by our Ancestors by the possibility of ANY damage or interference to Billaga, the Sacred Waters of our Ancient Mother, or any of the Flora and Fauna that share our Jukulpa, our Dreaming, our Spiritual existence is to deny us our Human Rights to Religion. This would further damage a cultural and spiritual tradition that has been so damaged already through ignorance of the Spiritual depth of our culture. You are no longer able to claim ignorance of these impacts on our people. The physical and social impacts of dispossession and destruction of culture and spiritual connection to Country on our people are undeniable and continue to be a shameful disgrace to the Australian Nation.
b. Underestimation of harm on a spiritual/religious basis
The limiting of the defining of damage or destruction to physical damage or destruction and to suggest that damage can be remediated or destruction offset is not only highly insulting to our beliefs but it also ignores any spiritual aspect of our culture and the significance of this area. Billaga itself holds spiritual and religious significance, not just the land or the trees but the spirit that is of that "place". It is a place where our Lore is living and breathing, of and within the land. We are of that land. The water is our source if life essence.
These may be difficult philosophical and theological concepts to grasp but to try to explain the full richness of our spiritual and religious connection to our country would be like trying to condense the bible into 800 words. All I can express to you is a that to cause ANY disturbance to the Waters of the Artesian Basin in our Traditional Beliefs is tantamount to bringing on the Biblical Armageddon, a catastrophe for the future of the Gomeroi people. To tell us that there will be minimal impact is to tell us that our entire Culture is acceptable collateral damage. To disrupt the Dreaming of Billaga would destroy us.
Finally, I wish to point out that we, the Original Custodians of this land have been lied to. We have been under the belief and understanding that the OEH, and the NSW Forestry Corporation had taken on a Custodianship role and were responsible for protecting and managing the Sacred Sites within our Traditional lands. The Government agencies entrusted to keep our most Sacred places safe from destruction has not upheld this role and responsibility. We want them back and are not willing to leave our cultural survival in the hands of those who would suggest the possibility of "offsetting" spiritual or religious significance.
We have learned that Petroleum Exploration Acts allow for our burial sites to be desecrated, destroyed and "relocated" through permits and exemptions and this we can never consent to.
The culminative impact on a highly Culturally and Spiritually significant Geographical Area, given the high levels of uncertainty and the knowledge gap that exists, would be at the expense of the Gomeroi people.
Our objections have been ignored. We have been shut out of the consultation process, and we have been insulted, offended, discredited and abused throughout. I say again, Gamil. Gamil means NO.
References
1) Bamberger & Oswald (2012)
NEW SOLUTIONS, Vol. 22(1) 51-77, 2012
Scientific Solutions
IMPACTS OF GAS DRILLING ON HUMAN
AND ANIMAL HEALTH
MICHELLE BAMBERGER
ROBERT E. OSWALD
2) Santos & Maher (2012)
Submission to Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.Brisbane:
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research; 2012 [7/2/2013];
Fugitive Emissions from Coal Seam Gas
Santos I, Maher D
Available from: http://www.scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry/index.php/70/.
3) Woodman AP and Silver MJ (2013)
EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO IDENTIFY AND CHARICTERISE
THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF COAL SEAM GAS
A Report of Findings from a Systematic Search of Evidence
Environmental Evidence Australia (EEA); funded by Border Rivers-Gwydir CMA
Surat Basin, southern Queensland, Australia.
(Queensland Water Commission, 2012)
The impacts of groundwater extraction by both petroleum and gas activities was predicted for the region.
b) Powder River, Montana, USA.
(Stagliano, 2012)
The purpose of the study was to assess changes to the aquatic community over time,
perform habitat targeted surveys for the rare sand dwelling mayfly community, and
determine whether any changes were the result of CSG development in the area.
North-West, New South Wales, Australia.
(Richardson 2012)
This is a critique of the economic analysis and report conducted by Allen Consulting for Santos.
Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana, USA.
(Scov and Myers, 2004)
A qualitative precautionary economic analysis is applied to the proposed exploitation of CSG resources in the Powder River
Tara, Queensland, Australia.
(Adams, 2013)
To investigate health complaints of people living near CSG exploration sites.
Southwest Queensland, Australia.
(Hossain et al, 2013)
The extent of mental health problems in rural communities is examined and the impact of the mining industry including CSG development.
Gloucester, New South Wales, Australia.
(Jordan, 2010)
The thesis investigates the potential loss of place that occurs as a result of CSG and coal mine development.
Etc.
4) Fuller, Robert S; Norris, Ray P; Trudged, Michelle; (2013)
THE ASTRONOMY OF THE KAMILAROI PEOPLE
AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS
Department of Indigenous Studies, Warawara,
Macquarie University, NSW. 2109 Australia.
5) Khan & Kordek (2014)
Report prepared for Office of NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSD)
COAL SEAM GAS: PRODUCED WATER & SOLIDS
Stuart Khan, Geena Kordek
School of Civil Environmental Engineering,
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
6) OEH 2011/0389
CONSERVATION OF ABORIGINAL HERITAGE IN NSW
A guide for Aboriginal People and Public Land
Office of Environment and Heritage
ISDN: 978 1 74293 044 3
7) NSW Forests Due Diligence Guidelines
For Aboriginal Heritage Management
Final 13 September. DOC
8) Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948
Article 18
9) Pacific Islanders Protection Act 1875
S Talbot 12/3/2017

The Lismore Community Sustainability Forum stands with the nearly 100 communities in the Pilliga region in expressing our strong opposition to the Narrabri Gas Project. The development of CSG in the Pilliga threatens human health, animal habitat, increased bushfire risk, the viability of the Siding Springs Observatory, and most importantly, Australia's major water supply, all the while significantly contributing to on-going climate change.

Community surveys have shown that on average, 96% of the people here do not want CSG mining in the Pilliga. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians of the area, also opposed to the project, have participated in many protest actions. They have been joined hundreds of farmers, who recognise the threat this industry poses not only to their livelihoods, but to an invaluable Australian water resource--the Great Artesian Basin.
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. There have also been more than 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads--demonstrating over and over again that Santos cannot be trusted with something as precious as Australia's most important water resource!
Santos also has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced!! The Narrabri Gas Prject will leave a toxic legacy in NSW for our children and grandchildren to clean up--if they can.

And for what? To produce more coal seam gas for export? To line the pockets of more overseas investors? The project is totally unnecessary for Australia's energy needs, which can be more than adequately met by the reserves in the Bass Strait.

Finally, we are opposed to this project because of its impact on climate change. Coal seam gas extraction is touted as a `green' alternative to coal, which will help alleviate carbon emissions. But the truth is that during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas, the leakage of methane (a greenhouse gas 70 times more powerful than carbon dioxide) contributes to climate change just as much as coal.

For all of these reasons, the Lismore Community Sustainability Forum urges you to reject Narrabri Gas Project proposed by Santos.

Sincerely,
Lismore Community Sustainability Forum, Inc.

I very strongly object to all of Santos' and other companies coal seam gas projects, because csg, and coal are no longer needed. CSG and open cut coal mines are very destructive undertakings and will harm the land, the air and the water. Santos plans to drill and frack right on top of aquifers and highly likely contaminate the incredibly precious ground water on which all farmers and wildlife depend on.
Please do not frack anywhere in NSW and Australia as a whole because it is proven that some wells will leak gas and methane and other pollutants virtually from the start, but that all of the leak after a number of years and will leave locals and taxpayers to try to fix up the mess when things go wrong, and I reckon that all the steam rollers of China put next to each other will not be able to repair the destruction and stop the leaks once companies abandon such mines when the flow slows.
We all need to embrace renewables full on and stop mining and burning fossil fuels as I believe that Global Warming is real and the burning of fossil fuels must be a thing of the past. Thank you for your consideration.

It is very clear to me that you have absolutely no regard for the livelihood of farmers and graziers in NSW and the flow on affect this will have to the towns and business this will afftect.
To you the government it is all about money and power and that in itself is absolutely disgusting and to base your decision on the theory while you all sit in a nice offices in the big cities and not doing the tireless work that farmers do year in year out , you people do not know what hard work is!.
Why do you want to intentially destroy our land and livelihood and the contamination of water and soil, and the environment that will happen with your greed of coal seam gas, and as a government you are supposed to represent the people of NSW and Australia not spend out Tax payer money letting these big bastardised col seam gas companies into our land.
and your careless decision is not given and regard to the people of NSW and Australia who feed and clothe you bloody beurocrats either. You are making a huge mistake look after your own people for once in your miserable lives. If this is about politics too then none of you would get a job with the farmers either and we will make sure you never get into government again, to screw over the people you are supposed to represent!

Please start to prioritise food and water over profits for companies before it is too late.

Science proves this is bad for water and environment. Corruption and greed is evil, not something to be proud of. Anyone with a bit of knowledge on the subject and morals will object to fossil fuels.

I am a 20 year old man from Queensland who is now living in Melbourne. In the last few weeks I have had to understand the reality that my kids will not see the Great Barrier Reef. Now that is not me being dramatic or me being irrational, that is a fact. If you believe that more fossil fuel development in a country that is one of the most vulnerable to climate change is a good idea then god help us. Please please do not let this go ahead, we need solar farms, wind turbines and hydro plants not this.

Sincerely, a very very sad 20 year old

This is a shortsighted economic decision

Please find my submission uploaded as attachment
E.D. James