Narrabri Gas

I oppose this project due to the activity taking place in a fragile environment and in a region of cultural significance to indigenous people. I have grave concerns that irrepairable damage will be done to the immediate environment and the water table.

It is absolutely vital to protect the Pilliga from mining. We have a duty to protect our fragile environment, the degradation must not be allowed to continue.

Please, we are at a time we really need to make a decision. I want to voice my concern with the push for Gas in our fragile environment. I know the argument for power security but at what potential cost. I say it is not worth it. Renewables are the future and we have run out of time to stop gap the transition. Yes we will have power insecurity and inconvenience without coal or coal seam gas. I would see that is not desirable but destroying the Pilliga by a thousand cuts until its biodiversity is not worth worrying about is not right. The threat to our vast water table is not worth it. Plus reducing green house gas is now a priority with no wriggle room left.
Thanks for listening

Tim

During the exploration phase in the Pilliga, Santos has already caused over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water, including the contamination of an aquifer with uranium.1

I am staunchly against gas exploration in the Pilliga and great artesian basin.

please close the doors to fossil fuel mining in this beautiful and wild part of Australia. Endangered species need our protection. Think beyond the next 20 yrs. Generations suffer from this decision you make- short term thinking must be questioned.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Artesian 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.
- See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.yh0klJCF.dpuf

The proposed project involves great risk to the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling River system, two vitally important water resources. There have already been leaks involving contamination of water due to CSG mining in this area. In addition to the risk to water resources, the Pilliga is a biodiversity hotspot, and the mining project would further endanger threatened species and the home of at least 200 bird species. The traditional owners of the land, farmers and locals are opposed to the project and their views should be listened to. In addition to the direct impact on human health caused by CSG mining and the release of hydrocarbons and organic compounds, the release of methane gas contributes to an increase of greenhouse gases and thus adds to climate change. The dust and light pollution from the proposed project will impact negatively on the operation and continued viability of the Siding Springs Observatory. There is no viable plan for the thousands of tonnes of salt waste from the project. There is also an increased risk of bushfires when you have continual methane fires burning in such a dry inland area.

On the basis that history shows the environmental catastrophe that is caused and left by these companies worldwide, this application must absolutely be rejected.

ground water is vital to the existence of life in the Pilliga
to risk it with CSG fraking for profit horrifies me.

deep sea drilling in the Australian bight is a stupid idea and will come back to bight us, we the people have to much to lose to allow big business to destroy our bight. You as our currant government are responsible for this country, try and do the right thing for a change, please.

Dear Minister,
It is with deep sadness I write to object to the proposed Santos destruction of the Pillaga Forest and environs. It appears the proposal is fraught with inconsistencies and environmental hazards. My personal observation of the forest and geology of the Pillaga is that it is a fragile, unstable geology, and a floral and fauna environment that is already tenuously surviving in a significant environmental niche. The failure to disclose the impact of mined salt and the disposal thereof, and the potential leaching of polluted groundwater into the local environment and great Artesian Basin system should be , I believe, significant grounds for the wholesale rejection for the proposed gas fields based on the risk alone to the National Interest for now and in the future. I believe it is totally irresponsible of us as a society to pursue a profit driven and unsustainable industry that runs such short term gains against such high term risks.

The Pilliga is home to 25 nationally listed and 48 state listed threatened species. This project will lead to degradation of the site. Australian is in the top 5 countries globally for species extinctions in the world. We need to preserve what we have left. The great Artesian basin also needs to be protected, and would be put at risk by this project.

We don't need to destroy more of the environment than we have already. Listen to the locals

Without clean air, land and water - we all humans and all species cant survive, I oppose mass destruction of any land without prioritising the environment, in a short number of years so many changes have been made in Australia based on greed, without regard to the past or future.

We need to learn from Aboriginal Culture to value the land, the native creatures and all that is within it. To use natural resources for medicines and food. The way of the future is to preserve and value nature NOT to Take from the land for material short term gain, not to take take take take take without through of the future. It is so important to preserve the Artesian Basin - pristine water underground - environment first not greed

Dear Madam/Sir,
I object to the Narrabri Gas Project on the following grounds:
1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Artesian 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.

Sincerely,
Anne Stanton

The following is a submission to the Narrabri Gas Project EIS.

I object to this project.

As a young person living in and completing my high school education in a country area, I feel very strongly about this proposal and I am incredibly concerned about the potential impact it could have on the environment in the Pilliga forest, as well as the health of the Great Artesian Basin, which is so important for the lifeblood of countless farmers and communities.

I continue to feel absolutely shattered seeing the effect that the gas industry has had on so many families in Queensland, leading to contamination of the land in which children live with their families, causing significant impacts on people's lives and depleting the groundwater that many people rely on.

I would like to reject the argument that Santos has raised in the EIS stating that this resource is important to lower gas prices for households and industries.

Through the construction export plants in Gladstone, the industry has been increasing the price of gas considerably and I am far from convinced that this resource will have any effect on this trend, since the plants have the capacity to well and truly absorb this additional supply.

As a person growing up in a community that has been significantly impacted by the closure of heavy industry, I have seen the impact this can have and it has very much affected me in a personal way and I feel that that high energy prices are pushing industry toward moving offshore is incredibly bad news for my generation.

However, I find it very ironic that the companies who are in large part to blame for this are now using it as a justification for opening our communities all across the east coast up for gas exploration and the construction of industrialised gasfields.

Going by what has happened in Queensland, I could not think of a worse thing that could happen to our communities and I feel that this is being used to put pressure on our representatives to allow industry to force their way in against the will of our communities.

I do not have all the evidence, however I do want to outline my understanding that I have of the potential impacts of this project and re-iterate their importance.

If the Pilliga forest is covered in infrastructure by this project and subject to the activity that is required to extract this is amount of gas, I fear that not only will this divide and clear the habitat of species found nowhere else on the planet, but this could also present a significant threat in the form of potential fires that are ignited by activity such as flaring during high fire risk days.

I also believe that the potential a drawdown / depressurisation of the Great Artesian Basin is very alarming and it would no doubt have an incredibly negative effect on the farmers and communities who rely on this as a source of water for their livestock, crops or as a source of drinking water.

I would hope that this is taken very seriously by the Department, because once something like this happens there is no way to reverse it and we will certainly continue to inherit the consequences for many years to come if this occurs.

I want all young people who wish to continue in their family's footsteps to have the opportunity to do so and be able to make an honest living off the land. In times where global food security is increasingly important, I believe that it should take precedence over the extraction of a resource like natural gas which can be supplied in ways that are less environmentally harmful, which the world already is already very well supplied with.

The future of agriculture will already be difficult enough with issues like droughts, natural disasters and economic uncertainty and this is yet another concern which farmers don't need.

I also believe significant potential in areas like tourism for growth into the future and we need to consider the indigenous heritage in these natural environments that will be lose to the changes to the landscape and environment that this project would cause in such a unique place in the world.

For these reasons, I urge the NSW Department of Planning & Environment to take these concerns into consideration and urge for the rejection of this project.

Regards,

Alex Delaney

I have only had a very breif read of the information provided, I must admit that this gas mining is very worrying due to possible damage to the enviroment and water supplies. Our water supply is depleting at best and we are going to allow a mega company access? Where there is no plan for the safe disposal of produced toxic salts, and not to mention the destruction of habitats and bush land. Please reconsider and reject this proposal.

I believe that mining for Coal Seam Gas is detrimental to the environment and of no value to the land, the people or the nation.
Why should the people of parts of australia be virtually (or actually) poisoned just for the financial benefit of one company?
I thoroughly oppose any works in this area of endeavor.

I object to this project, strongly, for the following reasons:
- There are clearly great risks - with damage and spills already documented - to the water sources and underground water systems, including the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin.
- There is justifiably strong opposition from traditional custodians, the Gamilaraay people, and from farmers and the local community.
- Coal and coal seam gas are damaging elements in many respects, including their contribution to climate change.
- The work would also produce vast quantities of salt waste, producing a toxic waste.
Evidence of these sorts of damage, among others, is widely available.

We are but one animal on this planet and we need to stop living and making decisions as individuals, families, businesses, organisations and governments as if it is all just for us. We have put too many pressures on the natural resources and ecosystems that are left. It is time to say "no more" to those landuse systems - mining, agriculture, sport and urban that put more pressures on our natural resources and ecosystems. There are viable alternatives and we need to all make those decisions now so that the natural resources and ecosystems are regenerated by how we live with them, not just sustained, not just preserved, but regenerated.