Narrabri Gas

I have read Santos statements about the benefits of gas and the safety of their operations
I object strongly to the' produced water' -- Its not safe and to wells and to when opeartions get sold on and organisations arent answerable for the mess left
As a previous farmer on the Eyre Peninsula near the Five Ways Nyngan NSW in the Nimbin Valley and still at Empire Vale I have a national view on our most precious resource water --- they say they wont frack -- but economics can change their mind
They say they are not near the Artesian Basin -- but Ive seen other maps -- we dont know and why stuff around with water on the driest continent
They say the wells are safe and cant contaminate between the shafts but the well head at Casino NSW blew its head 100metres -- that CSG gas field is no longer happening -- people power economics and commonsense prevailed I trust Santos is stopped here too Thanks

May I strongly urge NSW Planning and environment to very seriously take account of the following reasons for refusing approval of the Narrabri Gas Project proposed by Santos

In place this undertaking would pose a threat to precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin, Australia's largest groundwater aquifer, and the Murray-Darling Basin. There's every chance of the CSG extraction stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.

Furthermore creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River, a part of the Murray Darling Basin. This system would be vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

Gamilaraay people, like all indigines, cherish the land and so are deeply involved in the battle against CSG. They have affirmed to Santos that they do not want their country and sacred sites sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

Will the government not listen to the average 96 percent of farmers and community members who oppose the project; Australia is supposed to be a democracy but their protests and overwhelming opposition seem to have gone unheeded .

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. In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Against such convincing evidence this mining corporation cannot be trusted to manage the project safely.

As a haven for threatened wildlife the Pilliga and the habitat it offers endangered species is at severe risk of being damaged beyond repair by the infrastructure associated with CSG mining even if restoration were to take place, an unlikely event on the past performances of miners.

Methane, probably the worst of the greenhouse gases, leaking from natural gas during its production, transport, processing and use would, in the huge quantities envisaged, inevitably contribute to climate change. That is to say nothing of the proven human cost from the health threats of hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds released in processing of CSG.

The nearby Siding Springs Observatory, our world premier astronomical research facility, would lose viability from light (gas flares) and dust pollution.

Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that would be produced. Annually between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste can be expected to accumulate.

The projects methane gas flares would increase ignition sources as would the extraction, transport and storage of a highly flammable gas within this extremely fire-prone forest.

It seems to me that the foregoing reasons provide very convincing arguments for refusing the Santos application.

I object to the the Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga for a number of reasons.

Fundamentally, coal seam gas is not a sustainable source of energy and has a negative impact through climate change. Coal seam gas extraction and use should not be supported.

The scale of the proposed project that includes acoal seam gas field comprising up to 850 gas wells on up to 425 well pads over 20 years, and the construction and operation of gas processing and water treatment facilities in the proposed location has definite and high risk negative impacts.

These include:

- Depletion and contamination of the Great Artesian Basin, the Murray-Darling Basin and the Namoi River.

- The Pilliga has very high biodiversity that should not be risked in any way, especially as it contains endangered species.

- risks to human health from gases and other volatile compounds into the atmosphere

- increase in the risk of fires through the flare stacks

- the management and disposal of salt waste that impacts on wildlife and water quality

- impact on the rights and lives of the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians

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.



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.

(This was written by my 12 year old daughter)
Dear Narrabi Gas Project.
I want to know how drilling countless holes through Australia's very own natural aquifer in the search for oil, gas...coal will help our environment? How many holes does the human race have to drill into our mother earth in the never-ending search for natural resources, the raping of this planet we live on, before it collapses in on itself because she no longer has anything left to give?
What kind of a legacy are we leaving our children, their children and their children's children by doing this?
I for one, would like to know.
If we don't stop now,
One day we will wake up and nothing but a world of fire and ash.
And on that day I hope u look at yourself, and realise that you had a part to play in our worlds destruction.
Abalone Greene

I strongly protest against any development of coal seam gas exploration in the Pilliga area of NSW - or anywhere else.
Firstly; the project threatens the water supply, both surface and groundwater, and other local environmental resources and assets. The proposers claim that there will be little threat, but their history has clearly shown that they cannot guarantee a perfect operation without any 'accidents'. In fact, a truism of industrial activity is not 'will there be a problem', but rather, 'when and how damaging'
Second: It is imperative that we minimise the impact of energy development on climate change and ANY further fossil fuel development acts in exactly the opposite direction. It is not possible for the Government (State or Federal) to claim actions to minimise our impact on climate change and at the same time approve further mines. Research has clearly shown that the gas mining process delivers significant fugitive methane emissions from exploration, mining, transport, processing and final use (plus losses in the export phase) Researchers believe that this loss of methane to the environment can easily make CSG mining a worse contributor to global warming than coal.
There is more than enough fossil fuel (coal and gas) available in existing mines to carry us through a transition to renewable energy if we focus on that objective instead of trying to hold onto outdated and discredited energy resources.
Profit is the driver, not necessity. Our policy makers display remarkable 'cognitive dissonance' around this issue - the ability to say you believe one thing, but you act in the opposite direction.
Third, while the development phase of a mining project may yield a high number of jobs, many (especially the skilled jobs) are not made available to local communities, and any investment by individuals is often lost as the short term development phase finishes and the employment level crashes leaving many financially stressed local communities. The local communities are often destroyed by the short term influx of mining development workers.
Fourthly; CSG mining here and overseas has been accompanied by health issues in the local area.
Why trash the local area for relatively short term profit, especially when there are viable alternatives.
As has been said - the carbon in fossil fuel was locked up thousands of years ago in the Jurassic - and the Jurassic is not a climate we would like to try to live in - so why dig it up again? We cannot continue this uncontrolled experiment where we reactivate carbon that has been stored safely. Science says we are at the point where if we do not cease emissions as soon as possible, we will have triggered a very different climate for our children to attempt to survive in.

This project has many risks and known impacts on wildlife, produced water spillage into streams and leakage into aquifers, dissection of forest by roads and pipelines ithat ncrease erosion, weed ingress and deliberate or accidental bushfire ignition. Is the product gas worth these impacts on farms and the natural environment?

The proposed establishment of CSG production in iNSW is a foot in the door for expansion of the industry and its impacts to other natural and agricultural lands in NSW. Whatever royalties thus flow to the NSW Government will be swamped by the inevitable costs of winding back the industry, rehabilitating well sites, pipelines and affected lands when the imperative of greenhouse gas reduction is finally recognised.

Part of the sales pitch by Santos for CSG development is the claim based on simple chemistry that burning gas produces less CO2 per unit energy than does coal. That argument is challenged by the Climate council's report: http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/price-of-gas. Even if the fugitive emissions that complicate this comparison are discounted, the continuation and expansion of gas usage will increase greenhouse gas emissions compared with installation of renewable solar, wind and storage technologies.

It is conceded that industrial users of direct combustion heating would welcome increased local supply of gas but it is far from clear that the Pilliga gas field will prioritise supply for that market when higher export prices beckon in Queensland. Eventually many of these applications will also switch to electrical power which will increasingly be renewable.

It is understandable that Santos would prefer to continue exploiting their fossil fuel expertise and land cheaply accessible through supportive governments, than recognise that it must embrace the switch to truly low ( ie negligible) emission technologies. Santos and the NSW Government should take account of the global "CO2e budget" constraint for 2 degree and hopefully 1.5 degree limits on temperature rise, not sink money in stranded fossil fuel assets and expensive site rehabilitation.

I regularly use the Pilliga Bore bath for health reasons and over the years I have joined many conversations about concern for the water if the Coal Seam Gas goes ahead throughout the Pilliga Forest. It has taken many years for the reality of the coal seam gas project around Tara in Queensland to be made public. Now we have learnt about the health, water and environmental issues that are affecting people in that region we in the Pilliga are gravely concerned for our region if this project is allowed to proceed. It was a new idea that has been proven to be far to risky to our environment especially in a land like Australia that has so many other options for energy. How could the government even consider jeopardising the future generations to sell off this product overseas? Please let common sense and not vested interests prevail and remove all coal seam gas extraction from the last remaining expanse of forest west of the divide. Thankyou.

Dear Dept of Planning,

I would like to object to this project for several reasons, but the main one is water:

The Narrabri Gas Project has the potential to destroy water sources, including the Great Australian Basin, and the Murray Darling Basin. The Murray Darling already is suffering difficulties. 850 wells could have a huge drain on the system.

Even more important for farmers like ourselves is the issue of pollution. 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. The potential benefits of agriculture for Australia as a primary producer for Asia far out weigh the short term benefits of mining coal seam gas. We need to protect our agricultural land and prioritise this over mining interests.

Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. What is the plan for disposing of that? We and many of neighbours are already trying to cope with increasing salinity with our land and water as it is. The last thing we need is more salt.

It is my understanding that much of the coal seam gas that is produced goes overseas. This is very irresponsible on our part to contribute towards climate change in this way.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.

Please do not let Santos loose drilling holes in the Pilliga forest and through the Great Artesian Basin.

Surely you know the value of the Great Artesian Basin, and the dangers of drilling. You only have to look at the methane gas emissions in the Condamine River after drilling was done for CSG in that region, with thousands of square miles of prime farming land now rendered unusable.

The proposal for the Narribri Gas Project does not resolve the important issues listed below. The benefit that are claimed could be achieved in different ways with other energy sources, and the risks it introduces are disproportionate and, in same cases, irreversible, For these reasons, I strenuously oppose the proposal.


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.

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' record demonstrates that its assurances about the additional CSG sites 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.

CSG mining is a short term business vennture that will leave the whole district in a long term mess. Once the ground water is poisoned there are no solutions. CSG minig should be banned until there is an economical way of extracting the gas without polluting the land and water.

COAL SEAM GAS IS NOT THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IN NSW, IN AUSTRALIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD. OUR VAST LAND IS PERFECT FOR HARNESSING THE POWERS OF MOTHER NATURE (WIND, SOLAR ET. AL.) TO SUPPLY ALL OF OUR ENERGY NEEDS. I STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH ALL OF THE ORGANISATIONS AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THIS PROJECT AND ANY OTHER COAL OR COAL SEAM GAS PROJECT THAT IS SUGGESTED. THERE ARE REAL AND CURRENT DANGERS WITH THE EXTRACTION OF CSG AND COAL AND TO DESTROY THE PILLIGA FOR THE PURPOSES OF GAIN FOR THE COMPANY, SANTOS, AND THE GOVERNMENT IS SIMPLY WRONG! FURTHER, I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE POINTS BELOW REGARDING THIS PROJECT:

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.



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 strongly opposed to the Narrabri Gas Project.

1. I have just survived the floods here in Murwillumbah, the worst on record. Climate change is already happening. The most important thing we can do in this situation is to stop adding greenhouse gas, especially methane, to the atmosphere. We need investment in renewables, not fossil fuels such as coal seam gas.

2. The Pillaga is one of the nation's listed biodiversity hotspots. Species are already dying out in Australia at an alarming rate and more so than in most other countries. There are endangered species within the Pillaga. There must not be further destruction of such a precious bio diverse area. Such areas are now few upon the earth. Destruction from this project would be both direct and by the possibility of water contamination and salt spread, as well as by increased bush fire risk.

3. The project risks significant and extensive contamination of underground water. Santos has already contaminated water in some places in the Pillaga. Clean, sufficient water is essential to us all and must be given the highest priority. Risk to this our basic resource is completely unacceptable.

4. The indigenous owners, the Galimaraay people, do not want their land desecrated. Most people in the area do not want the project to go ahead.

I implore you not to let this project proceed. In a few years time it will be clear such projects are dinosaurs and if it proceeds the losses involved will not ever be able to be justified.

To Whom It May Concern

I am concerned about Narrabri Gas Project. I am a farmer that lives in Central West NSW and I am sure many farmers have expressed their distaste for this project for the way that CSG threatens our water supply and hence our livelihood.

However I am also a keen nature lover and photographer and I love the Pilliga region. There are many threatened species living there such as the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. A gas project with 850 wells will put these species further under threat.

I am also deputy captain of our local Bushfire Brigade. We have just had the biggest grass fire that anyone has seen in our district over the past 50 years. We suspect that this is a result of climate change and the way of the future. Instead of CSG, we should be focusing on renewable energy. Furthermore, methane flare stacks up to 50m high from the wells will be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. This is a recipe for disaster.

sincerely

I object to the above project as it is inappropriate in this day and age.
Gas is on the way out, it is being sold overseas and too expensive here, this project is part of that scenario.
On environmental, humanitarian, social and economic grounds this project is harmful, and I wholeheartedly support the groups that are opposed to it on these grounds, and have been working so hard protesting all these years.

I respectfully urge that no shale gas exploration or fracking takes place in the Pilliga. Any possible environmental damage resulting would be detrimental to Santos's image world wide and in Australia.
Any environmental impact statement provided by or paid for Santos cannot be considered unbiased, Having seen this scenario in the past with other projects.
Damage in anyway to The Great Artesian Basin water would be a crime and not tolerated by any Australian who cares about this country.

I write to ask that, given the following obvious risks, the proposed Narrabri Gas Project be terminated and abandoned permanently.

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.

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.

How this project could have even be contemplated is beyond human wit.

Or is greed - Governmental as well as Corporate - so nihilistically blind??

CSG is promoted as being cleaner than coal. It has many hidden emissions which are poisonous to living beings and plants.

Disturbing the water table has grave consequences for life on the surface - plants, animals, and not just in the areas directly above those being mined.

Salt will be brought to the surface and Santos has no plan to deal with it.

50 m flares of Methane? Dust and light pollution - that will completely bugger up the viability of the Siding Springs Observatory, an internationally important facility.

There have been many large and destructive fires in this area and I dont want to see mining disturbing the balance any further.

Perhaps you haven't heard about climate change, which is noticeable to anyone who cares to open their minds to the evidence. This proposal will add greatly to destabilising the climate and increase the greenhouse effect. If using gas, we are much better off to produce biogas from the wastes of our concentrated population centres. I would get behind that.



"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." [from a greens document] So there is documentation of all these poisonous effects and of Santos' reckless behaviour, or rather wrecking behaviour.

We dont 'need' CSG. Energy can be produced in sustainable ways, but companies just dont want to change their ways. So they promote gas to people, get them hooked and invested in that source, then say there is a need.

I cant believe in this day and age that companies are still allowed to misuse the land in this way and render it unfit for life, then move on. Maybe in every mining agreement there should be a deposit of the full price of remediation [restoration is not possible] before any licence is granted. This should include allowances for inflation. Then we might get our biogas generators, finally.

Leave the land alone. Work with natural processes, not cutting across them as this project does. No significant jobs will be generated no matter what the company might say. No-one wins if this project goes ahead. Even Santos loses in the long run.

I support this project, But I want the gas to be delivered to Newcastle. The gas should be for Domestic market to support Australian jobs, and NOT be delivered to QLD for LNG exports.