Narrabri Gas

Leave the scrub alone. It is an environmentally sensitive area. Your activities do not contribute nor support the area.

It is clear that the risks associated with the extraction of gas through the Great Artesion Basin are too great to make it viable. Tens of thousands of inland inhabitants face ruin when the inevitable poisoning of the system occurs. Keep our water safe, keep Santos out.

Feverish research and investment into renewable and sustainable energy production must be supported by a 10 year moratorium on all mining leases. AUstralians of the future look towards the wisdom of present day leaders to preserve and conserve the food production belt in this country . It is time for government to have the courage and values driven decisions to STOP gas and all other fossil fuel mining in Australia.
The earth cannot take this added pressure ! This planet deserves our respect - stop trashing it !

This is the last thing we need, our natural environment is constantly dwindling away, and we now need to preserve as much as possible!!

This is an area of country that is unique and diverse. It should not be used for any mining of any kind. It is an integral part of the environment and the artesian basin. The waters of this basin has reaching effects across the land. Any break in the basin could spell the end of farming and communities

By publishing these comments, you agree with my thoughts that approving the proposal puts wealth & development over protection of our land. You agree with my thoughts that any approval of such a proposal is not ensuring there are no harmful effects to our flora, fauna and ultimately us, the people of Australia. You agree with my thoughts that people in positions to do so should not support or make decisions that could have irreversible impact or detrimental effects on our environment.

Please don't allow this to go ahead because of the impact to our native flora and fauna. They are vulnerable and previous, and we need your help to protect them.

It's ridiculous that anyone would attempt to destroy such a beautiful, pristine part of our world to build a business (self motivated for wealth) that also is detrimental to the health of our planet. PLEASE help such companies gain some foresight and force them to invest in a form of renewable energy with minimal or no negative impact on our beautiful country! This is an opportunity for us to change our country / planet, move forwards and create long lasting change for future generations..

The threat to Australia's natural heritage posed by the santos proposal is entirely unacceptable and cannot be allowed. By continuing to permit projects such as this to go ahead we are simply encouraging reliance on unsustainable fuels and discouraging research and investment in long term, viable alternatives. And in the process we inflict irreparable harm on sensitive and significant environments and the communities and ecologies that depend on those environments.

I object to this project and believe it should be rejected.

Coal seam gas mining has been shown, repeatedly, to be a risky operation - one which threatens the long-term viability of land. Even small leaks can, as I'm sure you know, cause irrevocable damage, particularly when substances such as arsenic and uranium (present on these sites) are being unsettled though these processes. That some of the drilling will be though a groundwater recharge zone of the Great Artesian Basin further magnifies the degree of threat from this project.

Please don't support this risky operation which, at best, offers only short-term benefits. People in this area have clearly demonstrated that they do not want CSG projects - what is Australia if doesn't listen to the will of the people?

Please, reject the Narrabri Gas Project.

Yours sincerely,

Laura McLauchlan

I object for all of the well known reasons and stand by the views of the Wilderness Society who prompted me to make a submission. I make the submission as an Indigenous Australian and a concerned citizen.

It is time for governments of Australia to champion short medium and long term environmental stewardship. Not to champion environmental destruction for shorter term monetary benefits. Especially dodgy activities like CSG that are known to be dodgy known to be not understood well enough in terms of environmental impacts, especially on ground water and of the dodgy risks they pose as such.

THIS IS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND. I CALL ON THE GOVERNMENTS OF AUSTRALIA TO GET OFF THEIR ARSES AND STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS REASONABLE NOT THE AGE OLD BULLSHIT OF ECONOMIC PROFITS OVER THE ENVIRONMENT OVER COMMON SENSE AND OVER A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, IT MAKES ME VERY FUCKING ANGRY. THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO CHANGE. THE LAZY, CORRUPT, STATUS QUO, LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN ARSES POLITICANS NEED TO CHANGE AND NOW - and that means you nsw government.

No ecosystem can thrive or survive being sliced with roads or poked with wells. Such a pristine area deserves protection.

Our government should not allow this especially with such a high percentage of local residents, visitors to the area and/or voters are opposed to this destruction.

I strongly, strongly object to the Narrabri gas project and make you aware of the severe, debilitating effects it will definitely have on the environment that we are supposed take care of, and be custodians of. Further important points are below

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 am doing this because I believe aborigines need greater protection of their lands.

I am strongly in favour of the Narrabri Gas Project.

I make the following points:


PERSONAL

I was born in Narrabri 63 years ago.
I am a local.
I married a local woman whose family owned a property adjoining the Pilliga Forest.
My wife and I live on a large residential lot about two kilometres from the forest.
We raised two children who attended local schools.
We have both been and continue to be heavily involved in local organizations.
I was previously a local councillor and Deputy Mayor in Narrabri Shire Council.
Our family would frequently enjoy day trips into the forest.
We know the forest extremely well.


GENERAL COMMENTS

The NGP will have enormous economic benefits to the Narrabri community and to NSW and Australia.
These benefits should not, however, be at the cost of significantly depleting the environment.


ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

The project, with reasonable controls, can be undertaken without causing significant damage to the environment.

Water
Several studies have shown that the project will have minimal effect on the quantity of water available for other users.
The project will not have any effect on the Artesian Basin water.
The method of construction of the wells ensures no contamination will occur to other water.

Flora
The area of forest to be cleared (and then rehabilitated) is minimal relative to the size of the Pilliga.
The overwhelming variety of timber to be cleared will be White Cypress Pine which dominates most of the Pilliga. The typical landscape has been changed by white settlement. White cypress pines did not dominate the landscape one hundred years ago (Eric Rolls " Million Wild Acres" and local knowledge).
The rehabilitation of the 425 pad areas will, hopefully, be done using other local varieties of trees rather than white cypress pine.

Fauna
As stated above, the area to be cleared and rehabilitated is small relative to the size of the Pilliga. The project will have little impact on the animals in the development area.

Dust and Noise
Once constructed the wells produce little to no dust or noise.
Construction of the wells does create low level noise however there should be no effect on any residences or farms which are substantial distances from the well pad areas.

Fracking
The NGP does not require fracking to extract the gas.
This has been clearly stated by Santos.


AFFECT ON FARMING OPERATIONS

Despite spurious claims by anti gas groups the project will have little to no effect on farms in the region.
Water supply will not be affected.
Wells will not be constructed on private land unless consent is gained from the landowner.
A number of farms have had wells operating on them with no significant impact on farming operations. These farmers, and future farmers, benefit enormously from the agreed fee paid by Santos to the landowner. These fees have helped a number of farmers survive difficult periods of low income from other sources.


ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Narrabri Community
The project will have substantial economic benefits to the Narrabri community.
Already a number of local businesses have valuable contracts with Santos. These will increase during the construction phase of the project. Once construction finishes many of these businesses will continue to have contracts with Santos. These contracts will provide long term certainty for these businesses.
The general business community in Narrabri will benefit from a considerable amount of money being injected into the local economy.
A Community Benefit Fund of up to $120 million will be used on projects in the Narrabri area. Communities such as Narrabri can only dream of having such a sum available. This money can be used on new and upgraded facilities, considerably enhancing the lifestyle in the area.

New South Wales
Despite comments by anti gas people there is a looming shortage of natural gas AVAILABLE to NSW.
Homes and industries in the Sydney, Newcastle and Woolongong areas will continue to see substantial rises in gas prices unless NSW produces significant amounts of gas. The NGP could supply up to about 50% of the gas needs for NSW thus providing enormous economic benefit to the state not just in the price of gas but in the certainty of supply.


OBJECTIONS

The objections to the NGP seem to be philosophical rather than based on facts. The objectors have "moved the goalposts" several times in their attempts to derail the project. Some comments by me on their claims are:

Environmental
The claimed effects on water, flora and fauna are not substantiated by independent analysis. This is most obvious in their comments on water despite considerable evidence to the contrary.

Fracking
Objectors frequently refer to fracking when commenting on the NGP yet it has been stated many times that fracking will not be used.

Affect on Farming
Several farms have had wells drilled on them with no effect on farming operations.
Opponents conveniently overlook the fact that Santos will not drill wells on private land unless they have the consent of the landowner.

Public Support
It is alleged by opponents to the NGP that the majority of the community do not support the project.
In the last state election the local member Kevin Humphries clearly stated his support for the project. Opposing him in the election were candidates from Labor, the Greens and an independent Rohan Bohem. They all campaigned strongly against the project. The election in the Narrabri area was in reality a referendum on the NGP.
Kevin Humphries, the one candidate who clearly supported the project, won each booth in the Narrabri area easily with his vote in the 60 to 70 percentile in most booths.
Narrabri clearly supports the project.

Business Model
Opponents often decry the Santos business model (and also the business models of various other gas producers).
This is amazing. While many of them support a free market system they want to adopt a socialist system of gas production and sale.
The reality is that there are overseas contracts for the sale of gas which bring in greater revenue to the gas companies. The only way to keep the price within reason in NSW is to increase production of gas.
It is intriguing that these opponents don't demand the same restrictions of the export of wheat, beef, lamb, cotton etc.



Thank you for considering my submission.

Ross Gleeson

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project because I don't want NSW to become an industrial petrochemical plant where agriculture is pushed out for greedy gas company executives and no public benefit. I am a chemical engineer in training and have read several of the EIS chapters. The sizing and design of the Leewood plant infrastructure isn't correct for the amount of water and gas. Further, this huge methane plant will require a major hazard facility licence and there is no mention of this requirement and no safety case as required under these NSW laws.
I also have read the hydrology model - great model but it will take only a single fracture or fault undetected in a Santos's faulting study to rapidly increase interconnection between the toxic coal seam water layers and the Pilliga aquifer.
The Project is too high risk, the consequences of water damage are too high and the mitigating actions promised by Santos have no possibility of preventing or rectifying the water damage.

The Pilliga forest is worth far more to Australia and the world left in its natural state.

Stop it, with a huge amount of sun and some wind areas - Government should be backing renewables - and not let big companies take over. It is not just for our generation to profit what are we leaving for generations to come....
We need a mix of renewables and smarter use of power not mre ways to generate it

Fracking is a short term funding solution that will have huge long term problems for tgecGreat Artesian Basin, local waterways, the viability of the land in the area which is currently farmed and wildlife.
The short term financial gains far outweigh the long term problems.
It is irresponsible to leave degraded environments for the younger generations.

Although there are numerous reasons I believe this project should not go ahead, I will base my objection on 3 main points. Cultural heritage, climate change and health impacts.
The area proposed for this project is of significant importance to the Gamilaraay people. The injustices that have been done to indigenous people of this country throughout history are absolutely appalling. Destruction of these sacred lands causes severe trauma for the people with deep spiritual connection to them and inhibits their ability to practice their culture. We need to stop repeating the mistakes of the past, and continually expanding the divide and chance for reconciliation. The inequality that exists between indigenous and white people in this country is not getting any smaller and this dynamic has negative impacts on the whole of society. Shorter life expectancy, higher incarceration rates and lower quality of life for indigenous people are all symptoms of this lack of respect for their culture and if we genuinely believe that all people deserve basic needs and equality, then we must at the very least begin to respect their rights to land.
On climate change - I can't even believe we are still forced to argue this point given the effects are already becoming visible in many parts of the world. Recent research by the Melbourne Energy Institute shows that Australia may be dramatically under-estimating the fugitive methane emissions from unconventional gas, including coal seam gas. We simply cannot afford to remain so reliant on fossil fuels. There is no need to switch from energy sources we are currently so reliant on such as thermal coal, to yet another finite resource that contributes to our emissions accelerating climate change, when there are other viable options on the table. The economically and environmentally sensible way forward is to invest in renewable energy options that will reliably sustain us longer than these resources will ever be able to.
The final main concern I would like to raise is around the health impacts of Coal Seam Gas. There is increasing evidence, for example that produced by the Concerned Health Professionals of New York, which shows health damage by unconventional gas operations, including water contamination and respiratory illness. Neither the NSW Government nor Santos have adequately investigated or dealt with this issue. It's hard to believe we're willing to gamble with the health of people living in these communities for the sake of resources we are not in need of.
There are a number of other concerns I have such as the effects on groundwater and the Great Artesian Basin, and the destruction of the rich biodiversity in the Pilliga Forest which I won't go into detail on. I hope these factors will be taken into consideration and the concerns of the community taken seriously.