Narrabri Gas

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.

I am a Professional Chartered Engineer with over 7 years experience in the Offshore Oil and Gas industry in Australia, the Middle East and Africa. My opinion on this matter is a professional one and based on related professional experience. This CSG project poses unacceptable risk because even if leaks are rare, consequences are unacceptable. It is unacceptable to risk polluting extensive network of ground water, and therefore the project is unacceptable.

In submitting this, I am saying NO to putting at risk precious water sources surrounding this project in a way that would mean the risk of contamination through drilling fluids and salty treated water that would be produced from proposed wells -

In submitting this, I am saying YES to supporting the traditional custodians in protecting the many cultural sites and songline stories that this project will affect - see

In submitting this, I am saying YES to supporting farmers in their protest actions voicing their right to speak up and stand against the degradation and destruction of their land.

In submitting this I am saying NO to the devastating affect this project could have on the survival of threatened species like the Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygym Possum, Pilliga Mouse and South eastern Long eared Bat as well as over 200 bird species inhabiting this area.

In submitting this I am saying NO to the very real effects of volatile organic compounds released into the air from the coal seam gas operations. Effects including eye, nose and airway irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness and loss of co ordination.

In submitting this I am saying NO to the lack of solution for disposal of excessive salt produced as a result of this project.

In submitting this I am saying NO to the high risks posed to the surrounding bush due to the methane flare stacks that would be running day and night including on total fire ban days.

In submitting this I am saying NO to the greenhouse gas emissions stemming from leakage of methane during the production, transport, processing and use of coal seam gas therefore contributing to climate change.

References:
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/ - See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.XPFFz1hF.dpuf

Please don't ruin our country! They will never be able to repair the damage that will be done if this is allowed to proceed.
This is our land so don't ruin it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forests and ecological balance to be saved. For tens of of years of benefit loosing 1000 of years of forest is not appropriate
Children of the future say 100 years from now would read about us proudly when we do right choice.
Save forest - say no to

Leave the Pilliga country alone! This is the time to protect, to honour the beauty and rarity of the 3000 km2 of semi-arid wilderness that is the Pillaga scrub. Why would you risk this sort of damage and loss? The sort of damage caused by coal seam gas exploration and exploitation is not remediable. Wilderness cannot be replaced or reinstated. The Government must investigate the effect on the water of the Great Artesian Basin of damage to this wilderness by coal seam gas exploration and exploitation.

I AM ABSOLUTELY AGAINST this project. With peaceful intention and prayer I am asking that this project not be allowed to commence.

I have been within the Pilliga State Forest, I have seen and felt this land and I know of the destruction that will occur with this massive CSG Mining intention.

Please please publish this.

Sincerely

Christopher Brown

Coal seam gas mining is an insidious and very polluting mining system.
It has the potential to affect the groundwater of vast ereas for a very long time.
There should be no Coal seam gas mining as well as "fracking" in Australia.

There are better alternatives: renewable energy expecially solar is becoming cheaper and cheaper.
We are in the land of the sun, lets use it!!

I'm against the submission for the following reasons.

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.


This is a terrible idea.

Thank you.

This proposal would do irreparable damage to this country and its unique environment. Those who support this proposal have no concern for our future but rather their own short-sighted interests. I object to this proposal and ask that it be rejected.

I do not agree with the Narrabri Gas Project.

What a stupid idea!

No more mining in Australia, solar and wind powered energy only.

I completely object to any coal seam gas in australia, its a highly damaging process to the environment, especially any area around the great artesian basin or similar underground water systems which is basically everywhere.
I support completely renewable energy instead of coal seam gas.
F... off wit the coal seam gas

Any potential contamination of the Great Artesian Basin will be disastrous for thousands of Australians living in rural areas across a huge area of QLD, NSW and SA who rely on this water to drink and to irrigate. We have already drained an unknown quantity (but likely the majority) of the water in the GAB since settlement, as shown by the pressure drop in bores across the entire GAB area.

The environmental impact statement compiled by Santos is pathetically vague, any reasonable reading can see that there are no reliable methods in place to prevent widespread contamination of groundwater, bore water, soil and rivers. This is evident in the lack of data Santos has collected from their past CSG projects, and their disinclination to follow through on the vague principles of their past Environmental Impact Statements. Governments do not have the resources or time (and nor should they have to) to follow up and police these enormous projects, the only proper and reliable checking process is this review period under which I am submitting this application.

The intent of Santos is to profit from their exploration and extraction of natural resources that are the rightful property of all Australians. The minimal tax and employment benefits that will flow back to our country in the short term from these projects is far outweighed by the disastrous long term environmental and economic consequences of contaminating a permanent water source

This is a grossly unsafe practice and will be detrimental to the wellbeing of our children and country! Look at the facts from the states. Don't make the same mistakes here. STOP FRACKING.I wonder whether the government will listen to the public? If not it shows what sort of a government they are!

I feel very strongly about the interference of Mining and it's destruction of Australia natural and important 'wilderness' and 'landscape.'It is also time that those 'decision makers' who are employed by the very people they are meant to represent....'the public'...actually listen and respond accordingly. Big Business... these large Companies should NOT take precedence over the 'land' which is 'owned' by the all the inhabitants of this beautiful country
The destruction of our environment , even if corroded over a long period of time, is not what we want for the future of All Australians.
We also must maintain the natural habitat of all animals that live and survive in this important area of NSW.
We must stop the mining... It is not progress.... Santos needs to improve what it already has and invest in 'other areas' of development , research and mining where the effect is not as catastrophic even in the long term...
The performance of Santos as a company ( which is very ordinary) certainly does not and should not include further destruction of the Pilliga Region.
We have had enough of the 'so called experts' ,depending on 'who employs who' ,investigating environmental impact !
The PUBLIC overwhelmingly does not want these mines AND THAT is the reason why ALL concerned must listen and refuse the application.

I'm totally against drilling for gas in this area, it's time we invest in renewable clean energy for the future!

I've lived off the grid for five years whilst sailing, it can be dine

Please. Investment in renewables over gas mining. Please.

I strongly object to Coal Seam Gas wells being established in the Pilliga as even if all goes to plan they will result in habitat destruction and the release of volatile organic compounds. If things go awry there could be contamination of the aquifer or an elevated danger of bushfire.