Narrabri Gas

I Object to this Gas Project because
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.

I object to this application. Overseas and local experiences of fracking show that it can have drastic physical, environmental, emotional and financial side-effects for those who live near the operation.
Water supplies are the main concern. Entire towns and regions have had their water compromised, and for anyone to claim that drilling 850 wells through the Great Artesian Basin is completely without risk is farcical.
This industry causes more problems than it claims to solve.

I strongly object to up to 1000 hectares of important forest being cleared as this is home to wildlife that cannot be simply displaced.
The billions of litres of toxic groundwater that will be extracted is unacceptable.
The impact on climate change by the emissions of methane is completely unacceptable.

The significant harm this project will cause simply cannot be weighed against any perceived economic benefit. The destruction caused will not be possible to repair.

As an Australian resident I am TOTALLY OPPOSED and expect the government to start listening to the people and protecting us and our unique environment.

Our climate is fragile and it's time we take the Paris Climate Agreement seriously. Coal Seam Gas mining is not at option. It's dangerous, and is a dirty alternative compared to renewable energy. The Pilliga is part of the diverse web of life that is unique to Australia, why would be gamble away such beauty for a quick buck. Time to think about the future. One where we care about protecting land, water, air, nature and wildlife. Coal Seam Gas....Frack OFF!!!

The Paris agreement should be met by every single company,goverment and person on earth and it is a shame that this is even on debate, anybody profeting from fossil fuel should be shamed by this and stop the destruction of Earth emidiately and follow the will of millions of people against this idiocy.

Please ensure all is done to keep warming below 2 degrees.
Leave coal and gas in the ground.

Hello.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Narrabri Gas project.

I object to the proposed Narrabri Gas Project by Santos, on the basis of news announced today at the Santos AGM, and the following reasons:

1. Santos' business plan is based on a 4 degree rise in global temperatures

Today Santos' GM mentioned that their entire business model is based on a 4 degree rise in global temperatures. This is at odds with internationally agreed frameworks which allow for up to 2 degrees of warming. This project is based on Santos' business model, so is likely to result in far greater impacts that the specific site itself, due to increased climate change.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project

Santos has no solution for disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced each year. This industry would leave a toxic legacy in NSW.

I wish for the protection of our water and for investment in renewable energies as a emerging technology not an outdated technology.

I strongly believe that Santos needs reconsider and be made responsible for the planning of our future . Allowing for a 4 degree planet warming is dispicable. Now is the time to embrace clean energy targets.

The Siding Spring Observatory is a unique capability in Australia. It is UNIQUE. There is ONLY ONE!!! There is not another. We don't get a second chance at this.

Why are we considering letting Santos build UNSHIELDED flares around a UNIQUE national asset.

Whilst the overall merits of drilling of gas wells is debatable but allowing them to be unshielded which creates light pollution next to a OPTICAL telescope is unconscionable. Like - It's just so unbelievable I'm bewildered.

SSO is used internationally by researchers, they pay money to utilise the SSO and the associated telescopes because it is well known and a valued asset. It will be embarrassing to be in a position where our own Government cannot even protect a national asset....but even approved it!!! Even against it's own Environmental protection agency!!

Apply a little bit of backbone and make SANTOS shield the flares and the associated light pollution.

Thanks,
David

In China there are children who have never seen blue skies. This will be Australi's fate as well should we continue with greed-driven, ill-advised projects like this. This is science, not conjecture.

I object to CSG mining in the Piliga East Forest.

Firstly, 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.

Secondly, 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.

Finally, 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.

Best regards,

Joseph Zagari

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project on the grounds of compromising the safety of the environment, the potential of polluting water reserves and impacting on the health of people who live in the area.

To whom it may concern.

I am writing in support of the Narrabri Gas Project.

I have worked within the CSG industry in Narrabri for the past 5 years. I see first hand the care, the monitoring and maintenance processes, and the strict regulation this industry adheres to. I am Narrabri born and raised, and would not support such a project if I believed there would be detrimental impacts on my town.

The project will provide financial benefits for Narrabri and the region, through employment and sponsorship programs, in addition to royalties for the State of NSW.

The project provides employment opportunities for local people, and the opportunity for young people to continue living and working in their town, where they would usually have to move closer to a city to gain employment.

The project can help provide gas security for the East coast of Australia

Although this project is situated largely in the Pilliga State forest, the project/industry is unique as it can and has successfully coexisted alongside the agricultural industry, which is critical to the Narrabri economy and way of life.

I believe Santos has the scientific/geological knowledge, environmental controls, and government regulation to safely and responsibly develop this project.

I hope the Department of Planning sees through the misinformation surrounding this project, and makes an appropriate decision based solely on science, data and fact, rather than emotion.

Thankyou for the opportunity to be heard.

I oppose the project on the basis that it poses a serious risk to the groundwater, including the Great Australian Basin - Australia's largest groundwater aquifer, farmers and the local people and the Gamilaraay people are opposed to it, and that coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change.

The Narrabri Gas Project will cause long term despoliation and depletion of artesian water and pressure. It will destroy endangered habitat and carve into a unique eco-system, fragmenting the Pilliga Forest. It will poison the landscape through uncontainable contaminated water - there are always spills and leakage - leaving it biologically barren. It will poison the water that underpins the life and landscape of one third of the country, as well as adding climate polluting gasses. It will steal the night sky from an internationally renowned observatory, and alienate neighbours, people in towns when some have profited and some suffered.

Narrabri Gas project is a local, national and global health hazard and another act of disrespect and dispossession perpetrated against the Gamilaraay people. There is no righteous way to justify this project, even within a one-eyed economic framework. Gas prices are unstable. Spending millions of dollars creating more climate impacting gases instead of renewables is the short-sighted theft of the future from our great grandchildren. Please do not grant licence to this project.

CSG is not needed here in Australia nor should it be sold to overseas countries especially at the expense of our environment

I object to the proposal

Firstly I do not see how this project can be considered given the lack of detail. Leaving out such details as where the 850 wells and associated lines and infrastructure will go is unacceptable; we cannot take it on trust, on the 'suck it and see' principle that is implied in the 'Field Development Protocol'.
On this basis alone the EIS should be thrown out and Santos made to give this proposal and its likely impacts the respect and attention to detail it warrants.

Secondly, why are you even considering it? There is no need economically; Pilliga gas will be the most expensive to produce (as AGL reported) and will do little (4.9%) to meet Santos' commitments for export, nor will it bring down domestic prices. Yet the damage it will do socially, environmentally and to local industries like agriculture and economics is significant.

The risk to water alone ought to render the project unacceptable. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB), for which the Pilliga Sandstone is a recharge area, must not be further put at risk. QLD's CSG projects have already drawn down the GAB aquifers. Locally the GAB Protection Group has spent years mapping and capping bores to reduce the drawdown. The Santos project is expected to remove 37.5GL of groundwater over its life; this is not an area that can afford such loss.

I see the choice as water or CSG.
Yet even if that were not such a worry, there is also the unsolved problem of the waste water, due to its high salt content. To say, as Santos, does that it will go into landfill, is unacceptable, given that at peak production there will be 115 tonnes of salt produced per day.

Far more than local farmers, rightly concerned about the water and their livelihoods, the traditional owners, the Gomeroi people, suffer deeply at the prospect of the industrialisation and fragmentation of their country. The Pilliga Forest is vast and special and full of significance for them; it is their heritage and they need to maintain connection to it. Why should Santos be allowed to harm them further?

The Pilliga is special too as the largest temperate woodland left in NSW. Santos propose to clear 1000ha of it, scattered throughout the Forest so that it will even further fragment habitats of creatures such as the critically endangered and uniquely indigenous Pilliga Mouse, the Regent Honeyeater and the Koala. Proper impact assessments CANNOT be done for this with no information as to where the impacts are planned!

I also feel that Santos must be made to redo their social impact assessment as it is three years old. We know from other areas like Chinchilla that the social and economic changes in towns nearby, like Narrabri here, are negative to most, sending up rent and housing and changing the dynamics totally.

The health impacts of the CSG fields cannot be underestimated, again already seen in QLD. The fugitive emissions are not 'just' methane, the flares and diesel generators and water treatment and compression plants all add Pm 2.5 to the air, for which there is no known safe limit, causing cardiac and respiratory illnesses.

And not least, methane is a faster global warming agent than Co2. It is unconscionable to allow the known likelihood of the increase in this, given that no modelling has been done in this EIS of the fugitive emissions. Research in the QLD CSG fields has shown this to be substantial.

Why risk the international reputation of the Siding Springs Observatory?? It needs the dark skies to remain free of light pollution and an industrial network of CSG field flares and compressors etc will ruin this. Will Santos pay to relocate it? And where would be safe, if you can allow such important scientific ( and tourism) institutions to be ruined by a private business?

'A million wild acres' as Eric Rolls wrote, an icon to so many, fortunate to have survived our adverse impacts for so long. Please do not allow Santos to continue their damage for such puny benefits to themselves.

This project makes no sense to me. Why would this government approve a project to threaten a crucial water source and an area of outstanding natural beauty, against the wishes of over 93% of the local residents, to extract more gas when it already spends billions of dollars exporting gas overseas? And do so in a post-Paris decade where most other rational governments are divesting from fossil fuels and encouraging investment in renewables?

For the sake of our country, and our future grandkids, do not approve this project. We have run out of time to fix the climate, all we can do now is damage limitation, and this project is one major bit of damage that could so easily be avoided.