Narrabri Gas

CSG mining in the Pilliga should not go ahead.Apart from the environmental damage and the polluting of the artesian basin, our dependence on fossil fuel needs to stop to give us any chance of halting global warming. To allow a multi national company to continue is destructive practices is unconscionable.

I operate a LPG powered vehicle and would naturally be a beneficiary of cheaper and readily available LPG...However, I would readily forego this advantage if the production of Gas caused harm to our Natural Environment and Artesian Water.

Dear Sir,
I wish to register my objection to develop CSG in the Pilligra. It is unnecessary to drill for more gas and to destroy the habitat of animals, pollute our water supply and increase our greenhouse gases.
Please consider the environment before you approve of Santos' desire to develop CSG.
Kind regards,
Dennis Nickell

In have been involved with the Pilliga area and Pilliga Forest since 1964 and now I am extremely concerned about the damage that is proposed. Since my early involvement many things changed, the most significant being the closure of the saw mills to protect the forest. This was done to protect one of Australia's greatest natural resources. Now our protected area is again under threat from a new source which will do damage that cannot be undone in order that a few can financially prosper. The resultant damage will be there LONG after the destroyers have gone.
We are looking at damage to the Great Artisan Basin and a project to which the residents object. Where is democracy in our free society. At what cost is democracy being sold.
Santos has a history of spills to which they say it won't happen again - at least until the next time - SORRY an accident.
The dangers of coal seam gas exploration has been documented in the USA. The dangers are being ignored here.
Where will the salt bi-product go?
The tradition owners are opposed to the destruction of their land.
The concept that we are running out of gas is a furphy that exists because we export OUR gas overseas at bargain basement prices. Our governments have sold us out.

I am writing as a NSW resident and an Australian citizen, to object most strongly to this Narrabri Gas Project.

My most pressing concern is the serious risk this project poses for Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. These are invaluable water resources for our state, and both seriously endangered by this project.

Extraction of water for the massive project being planned, contamination of water through drilling and salination threaten not only the ancient water storage but water flowing down through river systems to farms and cities.

IThe project is opposed for cultural and environmental reasons by the Traditional Owners of the region and is overwhelmingly opposed by farmers and local community members, across the area.

This area also contains pristine wilderness areas and shelters threatened species, many of which could be endangered by the impact of the large scale mining activity being proposed.

And we are all threatened by contribution this project would make to dangerous climate change... not to speak of the health dangers from the CSG mining process itself. Vast swathes of farmland in the USA have been desolated by CSG mining - we do not want it in this area (or in Australia!)

Santos is a dirty company with a dirty history of greedy,environmentally destructive and degrading mining activity. It can't be trusted to act with environmental sensitivity - it has no real solutions for some of the most serious pollution and destruction it will wreak in this process.

We don't need this industry in this area. It threatens ancient and precious water resources - we have an obligation to protect these for the next generation. This project should not go ahead.

Stop the Narrabri Gas Project, it makes no sense to approve it.
Protect the Pilliga forest forever.
Invest in clean energy which will grow the economy, create jobs and protect the precious environment now and for future generations.
Stop the fossil fuel industry now and catch up with our leading nations who understand it doesn't have a future.

I am a conscientious citizen of Australia. I have no allegiance to any party or political figure. I merely want what is best for the nation in the long run and the good of the people. Sadly little of this is seen in modern day political landscaping. You have your decisions obscured by the greed of mining corporations which has dominated so much of NSW state politics and politics in general in Australia. The community of Narrabri, nay the rural communities of Australia, do not want to have our most pristine resource of our country, clean artesian water located beneath the driest inhabited continent on earth, to be jeopardised due to shameful short sighted greed.
Do not forget the great farming communities that feed this nation rely on clean water. It cannot be replaced. Already too much damage is being done in so many parts of Australia that a catastrophe is looming. Do not poison our supplies and cause the damage which has been done so much over the world for a short term goal. This gas will be replaced by renewables. It is inevitable. You cannot stop technology- just like the horse and cart died to the automobile & the railroads, so too will coal and gas die a quick death. Yet they prolong the inevitable with money and influence because you have left the door ajar to line your pockets. You squander the opportunity to embrace change, move with other developing nations and invest in new technologies where jobs and cutting edge science is exponentially growing. We will no longer be the lucky country or the clever country because of your idiocracy. Embrace the future and dump this filthy past.

CSG mining is not only extremely hazardous to our environment but is strongly opposed by a large majority of Australians and farmers living on the artisanal basin. Also in strong objection is the indigenous peoples who've had a pretty bad run recently, so respecting their wishes is paramount. Please do not jeopardise the health of our people's and our planet for a monetary 'profit'

I urge the government not to allow CSG mining in the Pilliga Forrest. The great Artesian Basin is a vital water source acroos large tracts of Australia and is too precious to endanger. I also urge you to listen to the local farmers and residents objections.
The diversity of wildlife needs to be valued and protected

I oppose Santos' massive Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga.
If developed, this would only be the start--Santos has mapped a total of seven huge gasfields across this region--and once the CSG industry gains a foothold, it's very difficult to stop. This has happened in Queensland.

I object to The Narrabri Gas Project development of a coal seam gas.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer and the Murray-Darling Basin. Making areas 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. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

I am asking that you listen to the people, the people live in this beautiful area and know what is best for the land and the people. There are so many other options for energy in these times, can you please explore these other ways. The sun is one of our best ways,can you see how fast there is growing interest in getting our energy from the Sun. Australia could lead the way here. GSC is not the way. Please listen to the people and the land. Kind regards Mackayla Chalmers

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.

Coal Seam Gas mining is a discredited and outmoded form of energy production. Not only does it destroy the environment in which it is carried out, the methane gas it produces is more climate-warming than CO2.
Investment from governments needs to be in developing sustainable sources of energy for the future.

I am against the threat that mining is to the Artesian Basin and our food bowl. Our water is priceless and cannot be replaced. The government must protect our food and water.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks water sources, including the Great Australian Basin.
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. This shows safeguards are ineffictive.

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 cannot believe that you do not see the problem with drilling 850 gas wells for CSG on such precious land. May I respectfully suggest that you watch the documentary FRACKMAN, Directed by Richard Todd. CSG extraction ruins land, air and local water supplies. It is a killer.

We do not need another coal based industry, the construction of this mine will benefit only those who construct it and will devastate the lands and resources of every Australian nearby.

As Australian citizens we have a right for our voices to be heard on this matter. So many are protesting this construction due to the adverse effects it will have on the environment, including ground water, and the devastation of Indigenous lands. I cannot believe that we still have to protest these obviously dangerous constructions, still! No one wants this but the money hungry people who wish to dissolve this area, take what they want, and leave. In going ahead with this project you will destroy everything in this area, for what? so some rich person can get a little bit richer, a couple of government-types can make a little more money, and the community that lives here will be destroyed. The entire area will be changed forever, just so a few people can make a little cash rather than come up with a new plan for energy!

CSG is one of the most contentious, disputed, UNWANTED forms of energy, we are supposed to be moving away from coal, not changing it a little bit and continuing on. We need a planet we can live in, not one we must enclose ourselves from because we can't go outside. Average temperatures are rising, weather is more erratic and dangerous, and yet here, someone is trying to build a CSG project. This is ridiculous!

No one but those constructing this will benefit, and we will have to deal with the consequences of it's construction, the polluted water, the devastated landcape, and the destruction of indigenous culture held in the land.

I won't even go into the native species, as a worker in the environmental sector I understand that one way to be ignored is talk about threatened species, because the government doesn't care.

This project should not go ahead, if Santos wants to build in the energy sector, they can build solar panels or batteries.

We need to build for the future, not keep building that which will destroy the future!

I object to the Narrabri gasfield as it poses a real risk to our two most precious water resources: the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin. It makes no sense to risk our main water sources.