Narrabri Gas

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 object to the mining of coal seam gas because I am concerned about its detrimental effect on the enviroment.

* by making sink holes for water to be drained from the surface
* by possibly causing fires

I am also concerned about the fact that this "Australian" gas is being sold overseas for a huge profit and with little return to Australia and Australians.

I am also concerned at the price increase for gas in Australia which matches the price sold overseas even though it is produced locally.

I am concerned local businesses have to close down or move offshore because the gas is too expensive here.

The government has allowed companies mining the gas to act as they like and to set the price of it without regard for Australia and Australians.

I have no faith in the government to regulate the industries or act in the best interests of Australians.

I object to the project on econmic and enviromental grounds.
It seems the taxpayer is being asked to pay more for their local gas which is priced at the overseas rate. The government seems to be allowing this to happen with no effort to protect the interests of their constituents.

Also, the taxpayer is losing out on revenue from the project because all the infrastructure, loans, etc are tax deductible.It seems the government is prepared to let the taxpayer pay the companies to take away one of our natural resources.

There is a lot of infrastructure to build and no real guarantees that the enviroment will be protected with such a large scale project. It seems the above ground water can be advertently or inadvertently directed underground with no way to get it back. Also, the gas can be released above ground and in streams poisoning the air and water and potentially catching on fire.

It seems a lot of risk and cost for little rewards.

I object to the coal seam gas proposal for Santos to drill 850 gas wells in the Pilliga Forest in north-west NSW.

This coal seam gas project to drill and potentially frack 850 gas wells through the Great Artesian Basin will bring to the surface huge amounts of salt and chemically-laden water, threatening farmland and water resources.

I support the local community, farmers, and traditional owners in their campaign to block this project.

I object to the Narrabri Gas project because:

1. It poses a real risk to water resources, specifically the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling Basin, through potential irrecoverable contamination and/or water loss to springs and bores.

2. Overwhelmingly, farmers and local communities strongly oppose the project. Anecdotally. more than 95% of the local community oppose the project.

3. The local Aboriginal community - the Gamilaray people - are strongly opposed to the project, as it could have a detrimental impact on hundreds of cultural sites and on the Pilliga forest and groundwater associated with traditional singleness and stories.

4. The Narrabri Gas Project has a history of leakages and spills of toxic CGS water, uranium, lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium, which provides the community with no certainty that this damage will not be amplified on a much larger scale in the future.

5. The Pilliga forest area is a bio-diversity 'hotspot' and a haven for threatened wildlife. It is vital for the survival of koala, spotted-tailed quoll, black-striped wallaby, pygmy possum and other species. It is an internationally recognised "Important Bird Area". The project would fragment this area and damage a vital habitat and threaten the survival of endangered species.

6. Methane, the major component of natural gas is significant contributor to climate change. Its extraction should be decreased in line with community expectations and global efforts to minimise climate change.

7. The project would increase the risk of bushfires as methane flare stacks would be running 24 hours even in total fire bans. The Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires and the project would increase ignition sources as well as the extraction and movement of a highly flammable gas in a fire-prone forest.

8. The project would result in hundreds of thousands of tonnes of toxic salt waste extracted with no solution by Santos the operator to dispose of it.

9. The internationally recognised premier optical astronomical observatory, the Sliding Springs Observatory, in the Warrumbungles, is adjacent to the Pilliga, and will bee detrimentally impacted by the project due to light and dust pollution.

10. Hydrocarbons and VOCs released into the air from coal seam gas operations have a detrimental impact on human populations.

Real Australians do not want their country devoid of healthy oxygen producing plantlife - look at the world picture of the problems this is causing!!! If we can't give jobs to the people we have stop bringing in more people!!! This is not progress - this is destroying the lucky country - everything isn't always about the almighty dollar and the good old boys club.

I have always believed that the whole CSG practice is environmentally catastrophic even though the CSG companies may say the procedure is safe - there have been many instances of contamination 'accidents' that have occurred on and around CSG sites. To construct 500 wells in virgin forest, public and private land against the will of a large section of the community and endangering the environment especially the Great Artesian Basin whose water many of us in the west of the state drink and water livestock with is environmental vandalism in the extreme. I am dead against it and always will be. Always remember 'Nature can survive without humans, but humans cannot survive without Nature'. The world will go on whether humans are present or not and did so for many millions of years.
I am pleading with you to not endanger our precious environment upon which our lives depend. Thank you.

To proceed with this proposal would confirm that the neo-liberal ideology of government firmly demonstrates that their only concern is profit for big companies.
To put at risk the well being of residents, the health of our environment and the fauna inhabiting an ever reducing habitat shows complete disregard of the rights of Australian citizens.
Until governments learn that destroying our country is not a benefit, we are all at risk of extinction.
Wake up to your responsibilities and start behaving like intelligent human beings.

This project seriously compromises hundreds of unique cultural sites belonging to local Gamilaraay communities and will devastate continuing cultural practice at the site. It will seriously damage if not eradicate the cultural health of the people and country.

Pilliga is also invaluable habitat for endangered fauna and has been identified as a possible re-release site for animals including bilby in NSW. This project seriously compromises the environmental health of this area.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

With so few remaining wildernesses, and so many animals endangered, Government has a responsibility to make decisions that are best for future generations. CSG mining produces tonnes and tonnes of salt water which is clearly bad for the environment.You have a responsibility to protect ground water. it is insulting to the Aboriginal Custodians of the land to allow mining on their land.

Drilling and potentially fracking 850 gas wells through the Great Artesian Basin will bring to the surface huge amounts of salt and chemically-laden water, threatening farmland and water resources. My sister was born in Narrabri and I have returned there to visit. Please care for country, not wallets.

I personally and strongly oppose the Narrabri Gas Project due not only to the permanent effects it would have on the landscape, wildlife, and water resources of this region, but also due to the carbon that would be released during construction, extraction, and combustion of the gas.

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.

To Whom It Concerns,

I wish to make this submission against the proposed Narrabri Gas Project based on my points made following.

CSG has been proven to contaminate waterways already with the gas running through the water and able to be lit on fire on rivers - this is far from acceptable anywhere, and definitely not at all at two of Australias most precious water sources and their subsidiaries.

Farmers, as well as other local community members, plus also the traditional custodians in the Gamilaraay peoples are all opposed to it, as they are all aware of the damage CSG can cause to the surrounding environments.

Santos has already contaminated a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga, with toxic chemicals present at far higher than "acceptable" levels for human consumption. Therefore they should not be trusted to have a completely fail-safe method of doing it this time around.

The Pilliga is listed as a wildlife "biodiversity hotspot" for several threatened species, including the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Pilliga Mouse and South-eastern Long-eared Bat. The requirements of an industrial gasfield would obviously pull apart and fragment this area, making it (near) impossible for species to continue to survive in the area.

Human health is threatened by CSG two-fold - firstly through the potential of volatile compounds being released in to the air and being directly toxic to people; and secondly through aiding in the process of (human caused) climate change and it's inherent damage caused to the environment.

There are more reasons, however I think I've outlined enough above to justify my objection.
Please stop this from going ahead.

Sincerely

Ti Coleing

Nobody except Santos wants CSG in the Pilliga . Unwanted , unnecessary . NO CSG in NSW !!!

I object to the proposed gas project on the following grounds:
It does not respect aboriginal sites and land.
It will be destructive to environmentally sensitive areas.
Groundwater will be impacted, and there is a high danger that the water table will be adversely effected.
It adds to global warming and catastrophic climate change.
We have gas,- it just gets exported!
Fossil fuels should be dead and buried.

I object to the coal seam gas mining of the Pilliga, because of the great damage that will be done to our water and land. Many cases of pollution to water sources, both in Australia and overseas, have shown that the damage is unfixable. Australia is a desert. We must act as intelligent, long sighted, sensible, grown up human beings. Short term gain for corporations to make profits, at the expense of clean usable water, land and air, is not a basis for good decisions. Governments are responsible for representing the people of Australia, not big business. The only "trickle down" effect of allowing this project, will be the poisons trickling down through our water table.

I object to the development of a Coal Seam Gas project in the Pilliga State Forest.

I am concerned about the impacts of a large gas field in this area on the Great Artesian Basin and on the Murray Darling Basin, both of which are crucial for water security. There have already been toxic spills in this location. I am also concerned about precious water being taken and contaminated for this activity.

I am concerned about the effects on the atmosphere of releasing large unquantifiable amounts of methane, when we should be reducing our production of green house gases.

I am concerned about how the contaminated waste water will be disposed of. The company has no solution for this major problem.

Our air, our land and our water are too valuable to be wasted and contaminated by an industry that will be gone in 20 years. We need sustainable non polluting energy solutions and we need them now.

To whom it may concern,
I will keep my submission today short and simple as, although there is much proof to support my opinion and plenty of detail to discuss, my basic points alone, illustrate enough to the department of planning and environment for my submission to be considered.
I, with much vigour, oppose the proposed Narrabri Gas Project in all its entirety.
We are at a point in our civilisations history where we need to take real responsibility for the environment and, with all the renewable energy options available, it would be irresponsible of the government to approve such a project when it has been proven time and time again that deforestation, land clearing, water pollution, destruction of water aquifers, and leaks, all which happen in every gas project ever approved cause often irreversible damage to our environment.
I ask that the government take a stand against overseas company's polluting and destroying our country and sending profits overseas. We need to work toward 100% renewable energy and a strong Australian economy that's not dependant on foreign business. This is the voice of the Australian people and now its up to the Department of Planning and Environment to listen to us.
Regards, Richard