Narrabri Gas

I am an irrigation farmer in the food bowl of Australia The Namoi Valley.
It has come to my attention that Australia is in the midst of an energy crisis.Yes we are running out of gas (locally).
There are underlying political forces at play here.
Santos should not put the great artesian basin at risk.
Our groundwater licence undermines our entire business.
Studies from water hydrologist Mathew Currell indicate that any one of the 850 wells either abandoned or badly constructed can cause cross contamination into fresh water aquifers.
We cannot take the risk on our valuable fresh water table.
There is no way of knowing the location of the offending gas well.
Contamination of the Great Artesian Basin is forever!

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.

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.

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 EIS assessment of biodiversity impact is seriously flawed because it vastly underestimates the potential impact of invasive weeds.

The road and access network for the project is estimated to be 430 km. The EIS estimates that there will be an indirect effect in a buffer 1 m from the road giving an impact of 86 ha (Chapter 15, Page 81). This is part of the calculation for the total project impact (direct and indirect) of 660 ha. The EIS states that "Indirect impacts from weed invasion are considered to be contained within the indirect impact buffer": ie only 1 m from the road edge.

I have been involved in surveying for grassy weeds which spread from roads and access tracks (Kean and Price 2003, see below). Our survey estimated that in many places the weeds had spread >500m from the roads in the 30 or so years since the species was introduced and that in the affected areas the diversity of native plants was substantially reduced. This is a well-known threat in many parts of Australia.

If you use the more realistic buffer zone of 500 m then the impact from the road network alone is 43,000 ha, almost 100 times the EIS estimate for total impact area. This is 45% of the entire project area and 8% of the area of the Pilliga forest, and clearly a potentially serious impact.

The EIS estimates that the project will directly or indirectly affect 2% of the biodiversity of the project area. Clearly, if the impact area is 45% of the project area, the impact on biodiversity is likely to be more than 10 times larger than that estimated in the EIS.
When this 10 fold higher biological impact is taken in conjunction with other serious concerns on the impacts to groundwater and the need to leave fossil fuels in the ground in order to seriously tackle climate change, then it is obvious that the price paid for this project is higher than Australia can afford.

Kean, L., and Price, O. (2003). The extent of Mission grasses and Gamba Grass in the Darwin region of Australia's Northern Territory. Pacific Conservation Biology 8: 281-290.

As a resident of Forbesdale, just south of Gloucester, I was in the firing line of AGL's CSG project and know the destruction this industry can cause, and understand the impacts it has on the environment, in particular air and water quality.

With the Santos proposal in the Pilliga these risks are amplified by the location. I am particularly concerned about the impact on water resources - the Great Artesian Basin - and the impact on rare and endangered species, as well as the impact on landholders. I understand all too well the way that impacts on people are given zero consideration.

The items listed below are sufficient reason why this project should not be allowed to proceed. Add to this the fact that there is no gas shortage, and that the gas cartel has hijacked political decision making - and stands to make huge profits from it - then it is obvious that approving this project goes against national interest. It must not be approved.

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.



SoilFutures 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
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated

The Indigenous inhabitants to the land are strongly opposed to any coal seam gas on the land - the social and spiritual connections they hold with the land are far greater then any economic benefit that this project may bring to the area.

The environmental effects of coal seam gas further climate change as well as damage the local areas.

No fracking anywhere, this country is too beautiful to trash for short term greed. Take note of the disastrous reports coming out of America and already here in Australia, don't pretend not to know about them, and don't go any further down this csg pathway with all its toxic legacy for the environment, now and into the future. Like bigger, older houses on large blocks, these areas of precious green, clean and natural beauty will become the treasures of the country and the world if we have the commonsense to preserve them now.

I have visited the Pilliga. It is unique bushland and a habitat that should not be put at risk.

It seems with any mining activity toxic spills are the norm.

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.

Farmers and Traditional Owners have been fighting this project for years.

At a time when the world urgently needs to transition away from fossil fuels, opening up a giant new gasfield is madness--especially when it risks our water, our farms and our endangered species.

Please do not allow the Narrabri Gas Project to go ahead. My objections to the project are listed below.
1.) First and foremost this project puts 2 of our most precious water resources at risk, namely the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling River system. If the Great Artesian Aquifer is contaminated by this project it will NEVER be able to be repaired or remedied for farming, drinking, stock or recreational use. As Santos has a history of damaging spills in other projects this is too big a risk to take.
2.) The traditional custodians of this land, the Gamilaraay people, are opposed to this damaging and harmful use of their land.
3.) Farmers and vast majority of the community are opposed the project.
4.) Santos have a history of damaging spills in other projects.
5.) The project is a serious threat to native wildlife including koalas.
6.) It will result in huge amounts of salt waste.
7.) It poses a fire risk.
8.) It poses risks to human health as has been seen in other parts of Australia and overseas.

Do not allow this project to go ahead.

Judy Hawkins.

I object to gas mining in the Pilliga area. I am very concerned about the impact on the natural environment, especially the risk to the Great Artesian Basin.

The destruction of this beautiful environment, and the risk of water loss and contamination is too high a price to pay for short sighted monetary gain . Australia is self supporting in its gas requirements with current gas withdrawals and to take more purely for the sake of corporal profits made off exporting to foreign countries defies all logic.The Australian government's duty is first and foremost to the Australian people ,current and future generations by preserving a healthy, sustainable environment. Anything else is nothing short of treason. And any other motivation is greed!

I support the Narrabri Gas Project for all the work it will bring to the Narrabri Shire which will in return give us a better shire

I support the Narrabri Gas Project as it will bring jobs and economic benefits to Narrabri

I believe the economic and social need for gas supplies for NSW will be supported by the development of this project. I also believe the environmental safety of this project will be adequately overseen by the Department of Environment. There is a quiet understated belief in the project among many of the people in the Narrabri area.

I was born in Narrabri and still reside here. I work in the civil industry and understand the beneficial impacts the Narrabri Gas Project will have in this town. It will allow local people my age (mid 20s) to be able to stay in Narrabri and work in the industry.

I believe Santos brings many local employment opportunities to the Narrabri Community. Santos supports local businesses and many of the local non-for-profit organisations. From what I have seen of the Narrabri Gas Project, Santos has minimal impact on the environment. Santos is the way of the future!!

Our beautiful land needs to be protected. Big business does not care for the environmental damage therefore the citizens must stand as one. Our home is of greater importance than a dollar sign.

I support the Narrabri Gas Project because it will provide economic growth to our region

I support the Narrabri Gas Project, as NSW needs economic & reliable gas supplies

It will be a welcome boost to the community and I know that Santos are a very professional company that supports the local community immensely.

The Narrabri Gas Project will be a viable alternative in conjunction with agriculture for regional Australia, by supporting local jobs, and providing energy for the future.