Narrabri Gas

This is a all round bad deal for australian citizens. High risk in an incredibly bush fire prone position.

There is no economic justification for the environmental devestation this project would undoubtedly create should it go ahead. We need sustainable industries now. For government to work in the interests of the health and wellbeing of the planet and ordinary people NOW not for the corrupt agendas of santos and the like.

I BLATANTLY OBJECT TO THIS PROJECT.

I ASK, PLEASE, THAT YOU CONSIDER THE BELOW POINTS AND STOP PROCEEDING WITH IT ALL, AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEM, THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE AND THE ETHICS BEHIND ALLOWING SUCH A PROJECT TO PROCEED.

HERE ARE JUST SOME REASONS THIS SHOULD NOT GO AHEAD:

1. Santos say they are not going to interfere with a GAB recharge zone. However all government hydrogeological mapping of the GAB shows the project will straddle the most important inflow zone into the GAB in NSW (Hydrogeological Atlas of the Great Artesian Basin (2016); Department of Water Resources (NSW) Hydrogeological Series Sheet SH 55-12; NSW Department of Water & Energy April 2009 PN00799 WR2008-089)
2. There is no evidence provided which shows there is no connectivity between aquifer strata. Recent studies document migration of coal bed methane to the surface (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep15996)
3. All well casings will fail eventually. Who is going to maintain the well integrity after Santos have gone? We will have 850 leakage time-bombs through the GAB (http://www.pnas.org/content/111/30/10955.full)
4. Santos want to release treated water into Bohena Creek during high and moderate flows, ignoring in their EIS that this creek is a recognised surface groundwater ecosystem (Australian GDE Atlas).
5. Santo have completely ignored pubic health risks from fugitive emissions, including from methane, sulphides and ozone. How can this gas be so clean when all others is so dirty?
6. Recent work has shown that the levels of methane emissions from CSG operations are high to pose significant risks to greenhouse gas levels.
7. The region is an astronomy destination providing jobs, business and tourism. Flaring gas and dust creation is a huge risk to this sector and the region.
8. Fragmenting the bush of the Pilliga forest will add to pressure from fox predation on threatened species. No control program will compensate the additional areas of forest which will see increased fox activity.
This project must not proceed as the risks are too high for the environment and the community.

I have worked in the Narrabri area as a groundwater engineer in the past. It's an area of natural beauty and a functional environment where significant recharge to the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) occurs. It's possible that cross contamination may occur from CSG activities in to the GAB, impacts may take decades to be realised (Anderson et al, 2013). The GAB has brought communities to rural areas. The water is MILLIONS of years old. It has and can sustain us with careful management, supporting recharge and by reducing risks of its over extraction and pollution. There is potential for CSG to contaminate it in a short period of time.

CSG is, in the scheme of things, a short term industry, and one that produces dangerous green house gases (GHGs), most notably, large amounts of Methane. We are in a time where we should be looking to decrease GHG and invest in 'forever industries' which are restorative to the environment which sustains us, and leave the land, economy and culture for our next generation.

The number of wells proposed is staggering. We have other options for domestic energy sources and should be looking at responsible and innovative exports that do not 'tax' our future generations by destroying land, water, air and the life it sustains. I object the Narrabri Gas Project.

This issue is far to important to not be addressed. Water is not a choice, it is a necessity. Anything that jeopardises water cannot go ahead.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project.
The negative implications of the Coal Seam Gas Fields are so far reaching. The land, water, air, biosphere, agriculture and cultural value are all evidently at risk. All for a product that is unecessary.
The Pilliga is such a special place.
I am revolted by humans that have the capacity to destroy and not look to other approaches.
From Kate Butcher

I object for to the Narrabri gas project for a number of reasons.
The extraction of over 35 billion litres of toxic ground water and after treatment will generate tens of thousands of tonnes of salt without a safe disposal plan.
Thousands of hectares of Forest will be cleared destroying wildlife habitats.
It will take significant water from aquifers that are relied upon by numerous rural communities across western NSW.
It will add to climate change through large emissions of methane.
The area that will be impacted is of huge importance spiritually and culturally to the Gamilaraay people and will cause trauma to them.
The justification for this is false. Shortages and the high prices are due to the gas industries export activities. The response should be investment in sustainable renewables which are ultimately cheaper and will not harm the environment. This makes more sense than allowing companies to inflict further harm to our communities, environmentally, socially and economically.
It will put agricultural industries at risk which will cause economic upheaval in Narrabri.
Research out of US shows that coal seam gas is harmful to health. NSW Government and Santos need to investigate the serious health effects before putting community and lives at risk.

Here are the reasons why I object to this project:

1. Santos say they are not going to interfere with a GAB recharge zone. However all government hydrogeological mapping of the GAB shows the project will straddle the most important inflow zone into the GAB in NSW (Hydrogeological Atlas of the Great Artesian Basin (2016); Department of Water Resources (NSW) Hydrogeological Series Sheet SH 55-12; NSW Department of Water & Energy April 2009 PN00799 WR2008-089)
2. There is no evidence provided which shows there is no connectivity between aquifer strata. Recent studies document migration of coal bed methane to the surface (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep15996)
3. All well casings will fail eventually. Who is going to maintain the well integrity after Santos have gone? We will have 850 leakage time-bombs through the GAB (http://www.pnas.org/content/111/30/10955.full)
4. Santos want to release treated water into Bohena Creek during high and moderate flows, ignoring in their EIS that this creek is a recognised surface groundwater ecosystem (Australian GDE Atlas).
5. Santo have completely ignored pubic health risks from fugitive emissions, including from methane, sulphides and ozone. How can this gas be so clean when all others is so dirty?
6. Recent work has shown that the levels of methane emissions from CSG operations are high to pose significant risks to greenhouse gas levels.
7. The region is an astronomy destination providing jobs, business and tourism. Flaring gas and dust creation is a huge risk to this sector and the region.
8. Fragmenting the bush of the Pilliga forest will add to pressure from fox predation on threatened species. No control program will compensate the additional areas of forest which will see increased fox activity.
This project must not proceed as the risks are too high for the environment and the community.

1. Santos say they are not going to interfere with a GAB recharge zone. However all government hydrogeological mapping of the GAB shows the project will straddle the most important inflow zone into the GAB in NSW (Hydrogeological Atlas of the Great Artesian Basin (2016); Department of Water Resources (NSW) Hydrogeological Series Sheet SH 55-12; NSW Department of Water & Energy April 2009 PN00799 WR2008-089)

2. There is no evidence provided which shows there is no connectivity between aquifer strata. Recent studies document migration of coal bed methane to the surface (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep15996)

3. All well casings will fail eventually. Who is going to maintain the well integrity after Santos have gone? We will have 850 leakage time-bombs through the GAB (http://www.pnas.org/content/111/30/10955.full)

4. Santos want to release treated water into Bohena Creek during high and moderate flows, ignoring in their EIS that this creek is a recognised surface groundwater ecosystem (Australian GDE Atlas).

5. Santo have completely ignored pubic health risks from fugitive emissions, including from methane, sulphides and ozone. How can this gas be so clean when all others is so dirty?

6. Recent work has shown that the levels of methane emissions from CSG operations are high to pose significant risks to greenhouse gas levels.

7. The region is an astronomy destination providing jobs, business and tourism. Flaring gas and dust creation is a huge risk to this sector and the region.

8. Fragmenting the bush of the Pilliga forest will add to pressure from fox predation on threatened species. No control program will compensate the additional areas of forest which will see increased fox activity.

This project must not proceed as the risks are too high for the environment and the community.

It is unthinkable to imagine drinking polluted water
Your greed and desperation to pillage like Vikings has blinded you to the reality of your action
A trophy hunter was recently eaten by a crocodile- 2 in fact
They tore him in half
That my friend, is the universe after it's had enough
Now sit and think about what punishment you will be entitled to after you poison the very core of the planet

I object on the following grounds:
-The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater
-The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
-Farmers and other local community reject the project
-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
-The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
-Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
-Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
-The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
-Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
-Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions

We have other options we don't need this!!!

1. Santos say they are not going to interfere with a GAB recharge zone. However all government hydrogeological mapping of the GAB shows the project will straddle the most important inflow zone into the GAB in NSW (Hydrogeological Atlas of the Great Artesian Basin (2016); Department of Water Resources (NSW) Hydrogeological Series Sheet SH 55-12; NSW Department of Water & Energy April 2009 PN00799 WR2008-089)
2. There is no evidence provided which shows there is no connectivity between aquifer strata. Recent studies document migration of coal bed methane to the surface (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep15996)
3. All well casings will fail eventually. Who is going to maintain the well integrity after Santos have gone? We will have 850 leakage time-bombs through the GAB (http://www.pnas.org/content/111/30/10955.full)
4. Santos want to release treated water into Bohena Creek during high and moderate flows, ignoring in their EIS that this creek is a recognised surface groundwater ecosystem (Australian GDE Atlas).
5. Santo have completely ignored pubic health risks from fugitive emissions, including from methane, sulphides and ozone. How can this gas be so clean when all others is so dirty?
6. Recent work has shown that the levels of methane emissions from CSG operations are high to pose significant risks to greenhouse gas levels.
7. The region is an astronomy destination providing jobs, business and tourism. Flaring gas and dust creation is a huge risk to this sector and the region.
8. Fragmenting the bush of the Pilliga forest will add to pressure from fox predation on threatened species. No control program will compensate the additional areas of forest which will see increased fox activity.

Stop ruining the great artesian basin
Deforestation of our land
Need trees to stop climate change
Look at the USA what is happening to their rivers,peoples health,environment
Australia is one of the driest continent's and you want to extract mega litres of water out of our system,
we are continually having to deal with droughts and non flowing rivers as it is ,and you want to deny our towns fresh water

850 gas wells over 20 years! Oh our poor, poor children and grandchildren. So much environmental impact and damage to our waters and our animals and our indigenous people. How on earth can this even be justified? : SantosÂ' own Coal Seam Gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. Why are we not investing in more reliable and ultimately cheaper renewable energy? Where is your sense of reason and your consideration of the ones who inherit this land after we have gone? Please do not let this tragedy unfold.

I object to this environmentally damaging project and all CSG related activities. The potential for ground water contamination is clearly too great.

I am making a submission on the Narrabri Gas
Project and I strongly OBJECT to it for the following reasons:

1. Santos has not made publicly available the necessary information required in the planning of such a large scale project. Placement of wells is a critical deciding factor for community, environmental and economical reasons and without this level of detail this is not an appropriate way to assess the largest
development project ever undertaken under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the Government must insist that Santos release details to the public about the
placement of its wells, pipelines and some other infrastructure.

2. A triple bottom line must be taken into consideration. The GAB is a crucial environmental structure and its important role in the wider ecosystem cannot be downplayed. Research undertaken by gas company AGL shows that gas from the Pilliga would be the most expensive gas of anywhere in the current east coast gas market. The number of jobs the project will support once the construction is over is just 145. Weighed against damage to
the land, and the Great Artesian Basin, this makes no sense. We need sustainable jobs, not plunder for profit.

3. Santos' EIS admits that the project will result in a loss
of water from the GAB recharge aquifer over time. CSG in Queensland has drawn down GAB aquifers already. We can't afford to risk this crucial resource that humans and animals depend on. The long term risks are unknown and then net gain from such a project will benefit only a few whilst leaving a great deal of carnage for the majority. This is unacceptable and respect for the great natural ecosystems that supply life should be mandatory when considering projects of this magnitude.

4. Santos says that in the peak year there would be 41,900 tonnes of salt for disposal, which will take place in
landfill. Yet another social and ecologically polluting result from this project.

5. We have carried on long enough with little respect to the cultural heritage of this Country. An apology means nothing without actions that follow through on the sentiment. We must show respect for our rich cultural resources so that generations to come can help heal the past and enjoy the future. This plan directly affects the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people. The Pilliga is a spiritual, cultural and social icon for them and fragmentation and industrialisation will cut these people off from their heritage and connection to country. This issue must be taken seriously. Profit cannot continue to be more important than people, that is a short sighted goal and an unsustainable political gain.

6. Without specific information about where the wells and lines will be located, a proper ecological impact assessment can't be completed. The Pilliga is the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales. Santos propose clearing nearly 1,000ha of the Pilliga, including habitat for critically endangered Regent honeyeater and for koalas, which are already in decline in the Pilliga. Spread across the whole forest, this clearing will fragment much larger areas of habitat. The gasfield will clear breeding habitat for Pilliga Mouse, which lives nowhere else, and breeding
habitat for other wildlife. It will fragment and degrade the forest.
Regardless, the Pilliga is a cherished natural and cultural
icon and must be protected from becoming an industrial gasfield.

7. The Government must insist that Santos commission an independent and thorough health impact assessment including modelling exposure pathways, reviewing literature and deep engagement with the Narrabri community and international experts from all side of the conversation. Currently Santos' social impact assessment is three years old and utterly inadequate - the Government must step in and rectify this mandatory piece of work prior to any further progress. The compendium of health studies produced by the Concerned Health Professionals of New York shows mounting evidence for health damage by unconventional gas operations, including water contamination and respiratory illness.

8. For a project of this size it is remarkable that it is even being considered without first the necessary requirements for consideration. I have read that the air quality assessment fails to include health damaging fine particulate pollution with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (known as PM2.5). Diesel generators at each well pad, at the water treatment plants and at the gas compression plants, there will likely be significant PM2.5 emissions. The air quality assessment and greenhouse section also fail to model the likely substantial escape of fugitive methane emissions.

8. Existing natural and man made structures, communities and tourism must be considered first before Santos can claim any legitimate rights to carrying out destruction. One such consideration among many includes the light pollution from flares, compressor stations and the water treatment plant will ruin the dark sky needed by the internationally renowned Siding Spring Observatory. This will also affect other aspects of outback tourism and local communities and wildlife that rely on and are accustomed to the darkness there at night.

9. Recent research by the Melbourne Energy Institute shows that Australia may be dramatically under-estimating the fugitive methane emissions from unconventional gas, including coal seam gas. It's not needed or useful as a source of energy: we have the
technology we need to replace gas with renewable energy sources.

I object to this Project based on the following:
1. It will extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first five 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.
2. It will clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.
3. It will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.
4. It will lead to large deliberate and fugitive emissions of methane, adding to climate change.
5. It will cause more trauma to the regional Aboriginal community because the area of impact is crucially important to the spiritual, cultural and social life of Gamilaraay people.
6. It is not justified: Santos' own Coal Seam Gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. NSW 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.
7. 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 Siding Spring Observatory.
8. Coal Seam Gas is harmful to health. Neither the NSW 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.

Water is life. We can't exist without it. Please stop poisoning our waters

I object to this proposal. There is no need for any further Coal Seam Gas projects in NSW, and far too many environmental negatives. I have direct experience of opposing CSG exploration here in Port Stephens (at Fullerton Cove) where similar issues were raised.

I understand that the Narrabri Gas Project would extract over 35 billion litres of toxic groundwater, much of it in the first five 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.

The Project will clear close to 1,000 hectares of the Pilliga Forest, fragmenting the largest temperate woodland in New South Wales, home to unique wildlife.

The Project will cause significant diversion of water from a recharge aquifer of the Great Artesian Basin, which is a water resource relied upon by rural communities across western NSW.

The Project will lead to large emissions of methane, both deliberate and fugitive, contributing to human induced climate change which, if not checked, will have major adverse consequences for all of humanity.

The Project is not justified: Santos' own Coal Seam Gas export activities in Queensland have caused gas prices to rise and supply to become unpredictable. NSW 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.

The Project 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 Siding Spring Observatory.

Neither the NSW 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.

Overall, there are serious adverse consequences and very limited benefits - the Project should not be approved.

There's no justification: The significant harm on the social, environmental and economic
values of the Narrabri Shire and New South Wales that this project will inflict needs to be
weighed against the economic justification for the project, but there is no such economic
justification. Santos is one of several large gas companies that threw the east coast gas
market and the industries that rely on it into turmoil by opening up CSG fields in Queensland
and contracting to sell more gas than those fields can produce to overseas customers. They
drove up the price of gas and are plundering supplies previously available to manufacturers
and power stations.
The gas produced at Narrabri might be as little as 4.9% of the volume contracted for sale out
of Gladstone. It's not going to bring down prices. In fact, it will force prices up, because
unconventional gas like CSG is so expensive to produce and yields are so low. Research
undertaken by gas company AGL shows that gas from the Pilliga would be the most
expensive gas of anywhere in the current east coast gas market. The number of jobs the
project will support once the construction is over is just 145. Weighed against damage to
the land, and the Great Artesian Basin, this makes no sense. We need sustainable jobs, not
plunder for profit.
Groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin: Santos' project is expected to remove 37.5GL
of groundwater over the life of the gasfield, mostly in the early years. The coal seam needs
to be dewatered to release the gas, but this aquifer lies beneath the Pilliga Sandstone, part
of the Great Artesian Basin recharge. Santos' EIS admits that the project will result in a loss
of water from the GAB recharge aquifer over time. CSG in Queensland has drawn down GAB
aquifers already. We can't afford to risk this crucial resource.
Salt: The water removed from the ground by Santos will be treated, but this creates another
problem: what to do with the salt? Peak salt production at Narrabri CSG will be 115 tonnes
per day, or two and a half B-double truckloads per day. In the peak year, this would mean
the creation of 41,900 tonnes of salt for disposal, which Santos says will take place in
landfill.
Cultural heritage and the Pilliga: The Pilliga is a spiritual, cultural and social icon for
Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people. Fragmentation and industrialisation cuts people off from their
heritage and connection to country.
Biodiversity and the Pilliga: The Pilliga is also the largest temperate woodland in New South
Wales. Santos propose clearing nearly 1,000ha of the Pilliga, including habitat for critically
endangered Regent honeyeater and for koalas, which are already in decline in the Pilliga.
Spread across the whole forest, this clearing will fragment much larger areas of habitat. The
gasfield will clear breeding habitat for Pilliga Mouse, which lives nowhere else, and breeding
habitat for other wildlife. It will fragment and degrade the forest. Without specific
information about where the wells and lines will be located, a proper ecological impact
assessment can't be completed. Regardless, the Pilliga is a cherished natural and cultural
icon and must be protected from becoming an industrial gasfield.