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.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.


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
⁵https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
⁶http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated/

- See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.dVbMOY4X.dpuf

I am always amazed how inventive humans are in inflicting more damage to our land and it's original inhabitants small or larger and their habitation.
It is time to use our continuous desire for material evolution and new inventions to start preserving what is left, and not endlessly
and greedily cause depredation.

Leave all new coal in the ground, it's a dead-in-the-water industry and carving out and expanding coal mines would be criminal in the face of allowing damage to a productive, healthy environment for the sake of a few years of squeezing out profit by a foreign corporation, that doesn't even pay appropriate taxes in this country or comply with environmental rehabilitation of their operations here or overseas. We have lost too much to foreign interests already!

Exploiting our land which cannot be replaced is unthinkable. Our precious land which is our home is priceless. It will remain longer than.any sum of money if we treat it well.

I oppose Coal Seam Gas mining in the Pilliga because
it is a vulnerable ecosystem with threatened wildlife. it 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.

it is well known that Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change and 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.

CSG mining risks our clean water supply and 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.

the local aboriginal people the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed to CSG mining here as 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.

Obviously the risk of fire will increase as Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.

I write to express my opposition to coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga forest, a unique part of the Australian landscape. It is environmentally and culturally significant and provides a vital groundwater recharge function for the Great Artesian Basin.

Farmers are dependent on this groundwater to grow their crops and feed their animals. Without it, their farms would not survive and their livelihoods would be lost as they can no longer depend on rainfall. Rainfall averages have diminished year after year.

Santos' plan to drill 850 coal seam gas wells in the area will put the future of the community, as well as 25 nationally listed and 48 state-listed threatened species in the Pilliga, at risk.

It is clear that CSG mining and farming are incompatible. There are examples around the world of water contamination. Clean water and clean air are basic needs for the survival of humanity, the environment and this planet. It is impossible to guarantee that there will be no leaks or spills from CSG activity.

If Santos is allowed to pursue their plans for gas wells, the iconic and irreplaceable forest will be transformed into an industrialised gasfield and the Great Artesian Basin could be depressurised, resulting in an environmental disaster, with population health sacrificed forever.

We should be not be stealing a healthy future from generations to come.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project because it poses too greater risk to our environment and resources. The environmental impact of coal seam gas mining on the environment, water resources and community health have been well documented. Evidence of the negative impact can be found in the gas fields across the United States and here in the Queensland gas fields. There have even been incidents in the Narrabri gas fields that have resulted in contamination. This contamination of water resources, air pollution and waste spills has destroyed previously good farming land and pristine environments.
In addition to the environmental damage 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.
The Pilliga is a precious resource and home to wildlife, many of which are threatened or endangered. It is important that we do all we can to preserve this wildlife and coal seam gas mining poses a significant risk through toxic waste and increased risk of bush fire from methane flare stacks.
For these reasons I object to the development of gas fields in the precious Pilliga Forest.

This submission is in direct opposition to the Narrabri Gas Project. I ask the government to reconsider this project and put a stop to the CSG wells proposed in the Narrabri region. The potential negative health effects are not acceptable and the government should start putting their people before their profits.

At this pivotal time in our planet's history, any new coal based energy should not on the agenda at all, let alone in such environmentally sensitive area such as the Pilliga forest.
We should be investing on sustainable resources, not continuing to rape and pillage our remaining natural areas.
Keep the mining giants out- they are only interested in profit, not investing in the future or safe-guarding our precious environment.
This is NOT the way forward for Australia and I wish to be counted as one of those vehemently opposed to this proposal.

I have driven past the Piliga forest and promised to return one day to explore this national treasure which I hear more and more about. It deserves to remain in its natural state, rather than being ruined in the name of gas extraction. I cannot improve on the case put forward below:

1. It is safehaven 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.
2. 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.
3. It risks our clean water
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.
4. 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.
5. Bushfire risk will rise
Methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night, even on total fire ban days. The Pilliga is already prone to severe bushfires, this project will increase the risk of ignition.
Thanks to our friends at The Wilderness Society, Lock the Gate and the Narrabri community for their long standing work to protect this ancient forest.

I am opposed to any coal seam gas extraction or fracking in or near the Pillaga or the GAB or the Murray/Darling catchment or any other fresh water resource or prime agricultural land, because of the dangers to the water and land resource, as well as the biodiversity and aboriginal interests.

Despite Santos predictions, the gas will not be needed , as much of the demand will be replaced by energy efficiency measures and renewables over the next 5 years, and allowing the project would only add dramatically to Australia's greenhouse emissions (both CO2 and methane) at a time when they should be being cut to as close to zero as possible.

I object to the CSG mining of the Narrabi region.
When a lot of renewable technologies are becoming available and several European countries are going/aiming 100% renewable, Australian government should only follow suits instead of remaining to exploit the invaluable nature of this country.
CSG extractions in the past has proven enough about the harmful effects to environment as well as to human health. This project will clear more than 1000 hecters of Pilliga Forest, which is the largest temperate forest in NSW, home to many unique wild life, to name a few.

I recently attended the Santos AGM in Adelaide. It was scary to hear the Chairman happily declare that Santos is NOT trying to reduce their emissions to under 2C increase in World avarage temperature but is instead looking at allowing they emissions to increase the world Climate by a whopping 4C "we are looking at the 4C pathway". The Chairman also denied that the amount of methane escaping in the Narrabri site is of any significance. What is scary is that obviously the octagenerian shareholders did not grasp the significance of such statements and totally supported that policy. SANTOS is irresponsible and is NOT to be trusted in the Pilliga or in the Great Australian Bite.
Yours sincerely
Laura Pieraccini
84 Kenilworth Road
Parkside, SA 5063BA

I am local who was born and raised in wee waa. I support the proposed CSG project for the Narrabri region. Although I work for a company which is solely reliant on agriculture, I feel the gas project will provide the region with an alternative industry with positive outcomes. For so long the area has been sustained by agriculture, however in recent years with the advances in technology and science around harvesting and plant breeding, we have seen a rapid decrease in the number of employed positions within the local area. Many people have moved away from the area with the lack of work availability. The gas project will boost numbers of jobs, and possibly bring some families back to our small communities. The support of community events and groups Santos has shown in the exploration stages shows their commitment to the local towns and the survival of the communities and the people. Having a young family, I am looking forward to what can become of our towns and the opportunities available for younger generations. I believe that enough research has been done to ensure the safety of our water, and we need to embrace some changes in order to move forward. Once again, I wish to confirm that I am in full support of the Narrabri gas project and I am thankful for the opportunity to include my submission.

My Family and I object wholeheartedly to SANTOS drilling ining in the Pilliga forest and into the precious artesian water supply. We do not trust this company to do the right thing - it is on the skids, hasn't paid a dividend for years and is doing the dirty on Australians with the export of gas as the priority. I am a shareholder and I know that drilling the Pilliga is a lose/lose situation, for landowners, traditional owners and particularly for wildlife who have already suffered and died in great numbers because of reckless drill-associated environmental damage.

I wish to object to CSG project in the Piligar state forest on environmental and health risks. I am so proud of Victorian Government for banning this filthy dangerous practice. With our commitment to climate change, why aren't Santos and NSW government looking to invest in clean renewable energy. You and I both know it's all about profits. Well I beg you please for once, put people and environment before $$$
Yours sincerely.
Cheryl Duffin. J

I most adamantly object to the Narrabri gas project

The Narrabri Gas Project will substantially change the land use of the region and in spite of guarantees around impacts on ground water and aquifers, the risks substantially outweigh the benefits to local landholders. Gain in the shiort term will come at a long term cost to the environment.

Gas is a fossil fuel which will impact greenhouse emissions in an era when substantially reduced emissions is essential.

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.
Drilling gas through this area places a significant risk to the water table through gas leaks and drilling accidents.

I trust that the EIS was developed professionally and if deemed satisfactory by our environmental laws, has my full support.