Narrabri Gas

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To begin with I'd like to note that I am employed in the Oil & Gas Industry in NSW. However, I am making this submission in a private capacity as an individual that has knowledge of the gas industry, the Narrabri Gas Project, and as a local member of the Narrabri community. I will not make any comment on the various technical references but will simply focus this submission on my involvement in the local community and the opportunities that will arise from the Narrabri Gas Project.

I moved to Narrabri approximately 3.5 years ago with my family including 3 young boys to take up an opportunity in the industry.

From my time here it is evident like most country towns, Narrabri is struggling to provide alternative employment opportunities in the region outside of agriculture which has been reducing the number of people employed due to improvements or advancements in technology.

I believe this project provides significant opportunities for the community, state and country including:

* Supply up to 50% NSW gas needs and deliver significant benefits to the local community and the state, including up to $1.2 billion in royalties and $120 million to a community benefit fund which will provide once in a lifetime opportunities for local residents.
* Create up to 1300 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing positions during operation which will help Narrabri grow and provide opportunities for youth employment.
* Natural gas has a vital role to play in delivering energy security for the country, whilst having the additional benefit of being 50% cleaner than coal resulting in a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
* The majority of the project area is in an area of the Pilliga that was set aside by the NSW Government for uses such as logging and extractive industries following a thorough ecological review.
* Santos will only drill on private land with landholder agreement.
* The local geology ensures that there is no need to use hydraulic fracturing in the Narrabri Gas Project and Santos has not applied to hydraulic fracture any wells.
* The Narrabri Gas Project enjoys extremely strong support in the local community.

I am very proud of the work the Santos team do in the Narrabri community through staff members assisting in various clubs, teams and other events throughout the year. They do not do this for any personal benefit and simply want to contribute and be part of the local community.

Similarly I am very proud of the EHS performance and standards being achieved by Santos in Narrabri who have now gone in excess of 4 years without a reportable Environmental Incident and 3 years without a Recordable Injury. This performance is one of the best in the Oil & Gas Industry and achieved with in excess of 60 regulator visits per year (1000% higher than any other industry in Australia - NSW CSG is commonly acknowledged as the most heavily regulated industry in the most heavily regulated states in the country).

Additionally the sponsorship provided for hundreds of community groups, teams and events have allowed many to proceed that would not of otherwise have had the financial support to be able to go ahead.

In terms of employment opportunities it was stated that this project will contribute approximately 200 ongoing operational jobs. While some will try to state that this is not true, these numbers are correct. This will be made up of a combination of locals and skilled labour moving to the area and like me bringing there families which will contribute to various schools, clubs and other bodies in the region. Additionally there will be an extensive training program required to train both youth and mature aged job seekers required for the project. This is an opportunity that has enormous benefits for the region. If anyone were to state that they do not have people willing to work in this industry, this is again incorrect. The last time they advertised for an operator position, they received in excess of 120 applications with over 80 being from the Narrabri LGA.

As a local resident I have witnessed the bullying, intimidation and scare tactics implemented by the anti fossil fuel campaign. Their lack of professionalism and integrity is evident everyday through the misinformation, flawed science and blatant lies they peddle to make their point and due to the way the legislation is written, there is no recourse or accountability for their actions.

I'm certain there will be numerous submissions against the project claiming to represent the community but they do not. This is simply a small percentage who appear to shout the loudest to try and get attention. One of the organisation behind the blatant attacks in Narrabri has been The Australian Institute who have time and again shown their true colours as part of the Strategy Advisory Group in the Anti Fossil Fuel document "Stopping the Australian Coal Export Boom - Funding Proposal for the Australian anti-coal movement". This document states exactly how the various anti fossil fuel groups have attacked the coal industry and they are using this as the blueprint for the Oil & Gas Industry. The Australian Institute also sent out a pamphlet of misinformation and junk science to all local residents as part of the scare campaign with a form submission letter while still purporting to be neutral to the local community. It is unfortunate that tax payer funds are used to fund activities that have a negative impact on Australian industries and our economy. I would implore the Dept of Planning to take the thousands of anti fossil fuel organisations form letters for what they are, which is a co-ordinated attack on the fossil fuel industry through peddling misinformation, false science and blatant lies.

As a local resident I simply want what is best for our town and community and I feel that the work and opportunities Santos can provide far outweighs any rhetorical argument that anyone may put forward against the project proceeding. The local community will be much better off having Santos involved in that community in the long term.

Dear sir or Madam
I wish to inform the EIS Process that I am a farmer in partnership with my brother. I work Off farm as a contractor with Santos 3 days a week in Narrabri.
Santos has undertaken exploration on my Farm In 2009 and the site is P&A.
I am an Active National party member previously standing for elections and assisting branchs in the Narrabri and Gilgandra shires.

Please see the attached submission on behalf of the 14 Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees in NSW.

I am a private citizen concerned about the destruction of our fragile Australian environment. I object to this massive industrial development in the Pilliga Forest for the reasons as set out in the accompanying document.

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