Narrabri Gas

I strongly object to any fossil fuel company, in this instance Santos, to drilling coal seam gas wells through the Great Artesian Basin and in the Pilliga Forest.
The Great Artesian Basin is Australia's largest under ground freshwater reservoirs, and must be preserved for future generations. The long term environmental devastation from fracking and digging for coal seam gas has been well documented. Such problems include clearing of bushland, air pollution, contamination or depletion of ground or surface water, pollution of waterways, health impacts on workers, and damage to biodiversity.
The holding ponds used for produced water (waste water) also carry numerous environmental risks. Produced water contains toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals. The risks with these ponds include potential for overflow during rain, inadequate lining allowing seepage of waste water into soil, thus contaminating the surrounding environment.

From a public health perspective, the release of heavy metals contaminate fresh water reservoirs and methane released from fugitive emissions and gas exposure from flaring all carry a significant public health risk.

http://www.groundswellgloucester.com/resources/downloads/Contaminated-sites.pdf

The above is a link to identified and reported problems with coal seam gas around Australia. The incidents are alarming, the consequences to health and pillage of natural environment disheartening. The project is short sighted with profits to go to few yet the negative effects will be felt for generations. Please do not allow further coal seam gas wells. Victoria & Tasmania have banned this form of mining, please, if only NSW would do the same.

Australia's Great Artesian Basin MUST be protected. The area where the Narrabri Gas Project is proposed is an area critical to the health of the basin and is a major recharge area. I understand we are in an era where energy and water resources are frequently in conflict - in Australia we have alternative energy sources that are renewable but water on this continent is not a luxury! Water vs Energy - water every time. We can't make water but we can harness renewable energies - we are at a cusp where there are real alternatives.
The Pilliga Forest is one of the most important areas for biodiversity in eastern Australia, home to at least 300 native animal species and over 900 plant species. I understand that the gas reserves underneath it could power NSW for 50 years - how tempting it is to enable access to the resource as it will solve energy problems in the short term however biodiversity takes millions of years to develop - and cannot be replaced. Please try harder to power up NSW with a strong renewables component and leave the Pilliga free of over 850 gas wells.

I object!!

Enough is enough - stop selling our land to coal and gas interests. Our Earth is dying because it has been robbed and pillaged to guild the thrones of the rich, leaving contaminated water, decimated ecosystems and greenhouse pollution in its wake. We have viable renewable energy systems, why not enhance the presence of solar, wind and hydro power? Why must we hinder the potential of our society to have a positive impact upon the earth, and instead turn it to ash? The Age of Fossil Fuels is Over.

I am a property owner in the Hunter Valley and I also have 2 daughters growing up in this area. This isn't about providing jobs and energy.. It is about greed. On my property, we have a stand alone Solar System and in this day and age there are plenty of Energy Alternatives. There is no reason other than greed for Santos to be taking this direction. The State government really needs to step up to the mark and stop this dreadful proposal.
It is not only our Artesian Basin that is being affected. It is also our Atmosphere where Methane gas is being leaked.
We really need some common sense here.
Bruce Parkin

CSG does not work
And destroys the environment and people

For the following reasons I object to this application.

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.

There are many safe ways to get 'fuel' to create energy, wind, solar, main ones, these don't cause on going health & enviromental issues like CSG exploration does. We are not told by the mining companies what chemicals they use for the gas extraction, the rivers of areas where CSG has occurred can be lit with a match because of the amount of methane on/in the water, this indicates to me the CSG wells have leaked, DESPITE what the mine companies say. No one inderpendantly has over sight of this process, we are TRUSTING the miners to be safe THEY DON'T abide by nor stick to the rules, miners are dishonest, VERY SAD .

i object

Coal seam gas exploration is not safe for the great artesian basin and risks the livelihood of so many people.

Please do not take those risks. The future generations of Australians depend on careful decisions made by today's governments.

Future generations will judge us by those decisions and whether we took them in the name of greed and short term gains.

This is the time to be wise, not opportunistic. It is easy to destroy but far harder to rebuild something that nature has provided after millennia of growth.

It is sheer vandalism to mine for CSG in this area which should have the highest level of heritage protection. What is more it should be the subject of an Aboriginal land rights claim. It is too precious to destroy. The Great Artesian Badin would likely be drilled and polluted. This great deep water resource must not be jeopardised. Stop Santos now.

No I do not live in the Pilliga Region. But I do live in the Northern Rivers of NSW where we are fighting our own fight against greed and a flagrant disregard for this planet which sustains us.

It is unconscionable that big business is not only allowed, but financially encouraged and supported to take...and to take...and to take. Sustainable, environmental living is our moral obligation to this planet, to its flora and fauna and for Gods sake - to our children!

I am to the point now where watching the effects of the destruction of our planet and the rape of its resources not only makes me angry - it makes me heartsick. It makes me cry. I never dreamed in my lifetime that humanity would have to fight its own Governments to try and protect what we should not have to protect - because we should be respecting the amazing gift that we have been given and living with it - not off it.

I urge all decision makers in this process to make a choice not for profit or for progress, but for what is right. We have gone too far and our 'progress' is killing us. Please. For the children we will leave behind. Let's turn the demise of this beautiful planet around.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian BasinÂ--AustraliaÂ'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 areasÂ--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 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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.


¹SoilFutures Consulting 2014, Great Artesian Basin Recharge Systems and Extent of Petroleum and Gas Leases. http://www.gabpg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GAB-Report1.pdf
²http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
³BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
⁴Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012

- See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.dNIsU9br.dpuf

I think that this project, if it goes ahead, is extremely irresponsible. It has complete disregard for the environment and future generations of Australians. The life of the project is about 25years, not more. If the ground water is contaminated or lost, that will last many generations, if not forever. And what about the farmers. If they can't farm what will we eat. We will have to eat in 25 years time when the gas money stops.
And if the pilliga is destroyed, it is gone forever.
It is also well studied that islands of remnant vegetation are less likely to survive and maintain their biodiversity compared to a continuous forest.
Can Santos guarantee that there will be no ground contamination, no ground water reduction, no spills, no gas leakage. No they can't. And their record suggest just the opposite. This is a risk that shouldn't be taken.

If Australians want to succeed, such a project must be assessed by unbiased scientists, rather than politicians or other vested interests. Unfortunately, if my observations of 36 years are correct, then this unbiased pragmatic assessment is impossible with the economic and political structure we currently have, so writing/reading these submissions is futile.

The Pilliga forest is the largest intact woodland in eastern Australia, stretching across half a million hectares in north-western New South Wales. It is a unique ecological refuge, home to 25 nationally listed and 48 state-listed threatened species, such as the Pilliga Mouse, which rely on the Pilliga for survival.

The sandstone under the Pilliga is a vital recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin, and creeks that flow through the Pilliga provide clean water into the Murray Darling Basin. These water sources are the lifeblood of farming communities throughout the southeast and inland Australia.

The Pilliga is an intact precious sustainable resource that can benefit current and future generations. It would be environmental vandalism to surrender this area to the many risks associated with CSG mining and to thereby threaten its long term potential.

I urge that the government provide certainty to the Pilliga, its ecology and its communities by rejecting this application and by preventing now and forever any CSG mining. The Pilliga has value that cannot be measured by dollars..

I object to the submission on the grounds that it is a risk to land, water, wildlife and our health and is opposed by the traditional custodians.

This is not ok. I 100% object to 850 wells being drilled for gas in the Narrabri region. Please invest in alternative - renewable - energy sources?!!?

Artesian aquifers are the natural insurance against drought and devegetation in Australia and should not in any way put at risk of contamination by any form of mining!! Once contaminated it is certain never to be rehabilitated.

The Pilliga forest is the largest intact woodland in eastern Australia, stretching across half a million hectares in north-western New South Wales. It is a unique ecological refuge, home to 25 nationally listed and 48 state-listed threatened species, such as the Pilliga Mouse, which rely on the Pilliga for survival.

The sandstone under the Pilliga is a vital recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin, and creeks that flow through the Pilliga provide clean water into the Murray Darling Basin. These water sources are the lifeblood of farming communities throughout the southeast and inland Australia.

At some point we have to say "enough" and protect the places and living things that cannot be replaced. The money made by this company mining a dirty, damaging fuel, cannot compare to the important and irreplaceable amenity this region supplies it's local residents, visitors, flora and fauna.