Narrabri Gas

Coal Seam Gas mining is not only a huge threat to the Great Artesian Basin, it will pollute and damage it as well as the surrounding environment. Waste water full of chemicals, more chemicals pumped into the ground and the eyesore of these wells all over our beautiful country.

Please DO NOT ALLOW THIS to happen.

We need to be looking at the amazingly innovative ways European countries are producing power and not copying America where farmers and the environment have been ruined for life.

Be responsible. For everyone!

In my following submission I state my reasons for opposing the proposed Narrabi Gas Project

a. The Narrabri Gas Project would put at risk precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin.
The Narrabri gasfield poses a real risk to Australia's 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.

b. There are hundreds of cultural sites as well as songlines and stories connecting the Gamilaraay to the forest and to the groundwater beneath and, consequently, the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed. They have told Santos they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field.

c. 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. Food producing land must be preserved for now and into the future. The Narrabri Gas Project would put at risk these irreplaceable resources for the sake of short term financial gain,

d. 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 barium. 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.

e. 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 Area. 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.

f. Coal seam gas adds to dangerous climate change.
Methane is by far the major component of natural gas, and is a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO. CSG fields contribute to climate change through the leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas.

g. 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 with many various health impacts. These impacts have been documented in human populations nearby to existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

h. The Siding Springs Observatory, Australia's premier optical astronomical observatory would be put at risk. It is located in the Warrumbungles close to the Pilliga. It would be negatively impacted by ithe Narrabri Gas Project because of light and dust pollution. 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.

i. 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.

j. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's forest.
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 feel we should protect that area and not allow this project to dessimate the area eventually bit by bit. Protect the wildlife. We also know if there is environmental damage they do not fix it, repair it or put it back as it was. Let's take gas we already gather rather than export it. I object wholeheartedly as do a majority of the community.

I object!

This is why:


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.

When are you going to learn that we only have one planet?

Lodge your objection to Santos' Narrabri Gas Project in the Pilliga.
Go to the Narrabri Gas Project page on the NSW Department of Planning website.
Choose `I object to it' in the dropdown menu and fill in your personal details.
Add your comment against the project. We have suggested some key points to be included in your submission below. Please consider using these points as a basis and expressing opposition in your own words--your own voice is more powerful.
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Suggested points for your submission

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,

Stop the Narabi gas project

The Pilliga is a vital ecosystem and the recharge area for the great artesian basin, which is the largest and most important source of underground water. You cannot risk the future of our water when you can see the issues that have arisen in the rest of the. Action caused by fracking. Your cannot prove that it is safe, so it shouldn't be done.

This application is a disaster waiting to happen in one of the most precious environments in this country. I can't even believe it is being considered.
We are fundamentally a large desert. The Great Australian Basin is Australia's largest groundwater aquifer and we are putting it at risk for a project that will extract a product to FURTHER DAMAGE OUR ENVIRONMENT.
Santos have shown time and time again they cannot be trusted to protect the immediate environment from spills and leaks of toxic CSG water. They have no plan for the huge quantities of salt that will be created as by-product.
Traditional owners don't want it, farmers are vehemently opposed to it. WE DO NOT NEED COAL SEAM GAS.
Please listen to the people of Australia that love this country and want to protect it from grubby profit-chasing vandals.

I object to CSG mining in the Pillaga for the following reasons;
- the waste materials produced are massive and will be a burden on Australia for a long time to come
- the risk of contamination or spills is too high and Santos, based on their history cannot be trusted
- the traditional people of this land do not wish this to go ahead, their views should be respected... enough bullying of our First Nations People for profit!
- the risk of the artesian water table dropping and affecting access to water is too high
-Australia needs to take MORE action to reduce carbon emissions, with methane being an incredibly potent greenhouse gas. Mining for more fossil fuels is going in the wrong direction. Our standing on current emissions and attempts to reduce is an embarrassment
-this is a democracy, and the vast majority of local people (over 90%) are against this mining in the Pillaga

The Narrabri gas project risks damage to a sensitive environmental area, the Pilliga Forest, which is a biodiversity hotspot and home to many threatened species. The project also poses risks to human health by affecting the Great Artesian Basin and the local air quality. The project is opposed by the traditional owners of the area, the Gamilaraay people, and also by most of the local population. Our natural areas and rural people need to be protected from dangerous industries.

Leave it

I truly believe Australia needs to think twice before investing in any more fossil fuels. This operation will destroy this pristine area and I do not support it.
Go solar! Go renewables!

I ask that the Australian Government listen to the public response and save this forest

The simple fact that Coal Seam Gas production overseas has resulted in ground water contamination should be enough to stop any CSG drilling in the Pilliga. When the CSG drilling contaminates the Great Artesian Basin that covers northern NSW & south western QLD how will the companies decontaminate the ground water? The answer is that they can't.

The contamination of ground water covering such a large area of Australia would result in billions & possibly trillions of dollars damage to farming & agricultural businesses. Will the company drilling for CSG deposit say $500 billion cash into a damage fund to cover the damage that will occur from CSG that must be left there for the period of drilling & 250 years after drilling has finished? Damage funds could only be used for farmers, businesses & organisations, or their descendants to compensate for losses & to rectify damages. This money could not be accessed by any government or government departments. It must be managed by community groups in this area.

Due to the degradation of land and water that has occurred in the past due to coal seam gas extraction, over the world, I strongly oppose the Narrabri Gas Project and any other drilling in Australia or the world. It is a crime and a classic example of greed.

I am writing to oppose the Narrabri Gas Project. The proposed gasfield will threaten the lifeblood of Australia- the ancient waters of the Artesian Basin. On such a dry continent, with the increasing risk of drought and fire from climate change, we need to be treating our water with reverence and respect.

The Pilliga is home to threatened wildlife, precious farmlands and the sacred land of the Gamilaraay people. The people of this region overwhelmingly reject this project.

Its time to protect sacred land and water. Without it we are nothing.

Being someone who has visited this area, and who genuinely cares about the nature in this region, I am completely and utterly opposed to any interference by coal/gas companies in this region.

I Am Against any Coal or Gas Mine in the Pilliga Region. The Wilderness Society have clear objections why and its to protect the beautiful fauna and flora in the area.

My say is made but purely on the basis of speaking for the environment when it can not. Regardless of fact, fiction, science, politics, money... stop destroying nature full stop especially the Pilliga Region in this instance. I absolutely object to it

NO! NO! NO! This is form of energy is not wanted it is to risky to the environment, and the risk is not worth it. The mining companies are only concerned as always of raping and pillaging the earth to benefit them and the shareholders and the land, the locals and the farmers are walked over by them paying government and council to get their mining approval.