Narrabri Gas

Disgraceful, must never be allowed to take place in this area.

Shale gas wells fail (as do non shale gas wells)

Looking back at the data from the last 100 years the researchers found well integrity failure rates of between 1.9% and 75%.

Looking in particular at shale gas wells drilled in the US the researchers found that of 8,030 wells targeting the Marcellus shale inspected in Pennsylvania between 2005 and 2013, 6.3% of these have been reported to the authorities for infringements related to well barrier or integrity failure.

These failures include failing to cement the well properly, failure to prevent migration of the well's contents (gas, fracking fluid etc) into fresh groundwater and insufficient cement and steel casings between the well-bore and the aquifer to prevent seepage of fluids.

This is a concern because wells often go through aquifers

Much has been made of fears about fracking fluids seeping through rocks back up to surface aquifers. But whilst the authors of the study believe this may be possible, they think it is very unlikely.

Instead, they suggest, the concern should be about wells drilled through fresh water aquifers which could leak - or the contamination of surface groundwater.

Eastern australia is one of the 11 global hotspots for deforestation, these 400 plus well sites account for the decimation of large tracks of the pilliga forest that will have a devastating impact on the local ecosystem. These wells will also lead to huge quantities of carbon dioxide being released form the cleared land.
Deforestation also leads to localized climate change.

The Narrabri Gas Project cannot go ahead. It is far too risky for the land, precious water supplies, species that require safe and healthy habitat, people that live in this area and the cultural and historical significance of the region.

Coal seam gas (CSG) has been known to contaminate water supplies, effect human health and destroy habitats. It also impacts tourism, culturally significant sites and places of spiritual significance to indigenous communities. This project would permanently harm the health, beauty and prosperity of the region.

Santos claims there are two high-priority-listed springs immediately east of the project area, but states, "minor or negligible impacts...are predicted at these locations". Santos cannot guarantee the safety of integral water supplies, they can only "predict" impacts.

Opposition to CSG is widespread and well-documented, both in Australia and overseas, for all the reasons stated above.

Key points include:

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.

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.

The effects of volatile organic compounds vary, but can cause eye, nose and airway irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination. These impacts have been documented in human populations near existing gasfields in Queensland, Sydney and in America.

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.

As a young person it is extremely concerning to me to see vast areas of natural importance being decimated by industry. Once the Pilliga area is disturbed through the construction of mining infrastructure and running of said project, the flora and fauna of the region will suffer considerably. We need to be focusing our efforts on conserving what natural environment we have left, and protecting those vulnerable species within them, rather than ruining these significant areas for short-term personal gain. If projects such as these are allowed to continue forward, there will nothing left for future generations, and it will contribute to the extinction of our endemic species and the global problem of climate change.

Listen to the people.
Look to the science.

please don't do this - it is australia's water you are messing with and SO MANY THINGS COULD GO WRONG. please stop

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.
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Any coal seen gas exploration is a crime against our grandchildren. As our generation inherited CFC's and asbestos we would be passing this water pollution onto our grandchildren. No cost is too great to avoid this atrocity.

I strongly oppose the proposal by Santos to drill for coal seam gas in the Piliga Region on social, environmental and agricultural grounds. I have stopped over in the Piliga region on several occasions while travelling for both work and holidays and am aware that the local community is strongly opposed to the proposal.

Coal seam gas mining threatens the long term viability of agriculture in Australia by depleting and potentially polluting the Great Artesian Basin, and on these grounds I believe it would be a net loss for Australia in terms of longer term industry and employment. It would also threaten the food and water resources that are basic to our survival.

I implore you to reject Santos' proposal for the benefit of current and future Australians.

We should not be drilling for any more fossil fuels. They are dangerous to the planet and this project endangers the water supply, wildlife and community. Nothing good can come of this project. Santos can bot be trusted to protect the community from the dangers of CSG.

The Great Artesian Basin is unique in the world. As a country we cannot condone possible man made damage to such a significant natural area. We should use clean energy here and around the world. Solar power, wave power and wind power. Our scientists are some of the very best in the world. Allow them to invent new ways of getting these energy wonders to boost our economy overseas. Coal gas is NOT the way to go. I ask in humble sincerity that coal seam gas is dropped as a way to the future. It is not renewable. It is devastating for our country and our children.

To whom it may concern

I, hereby, make a submission to state my opposition against the exploitation of Coal Seam Gas in the Artesian Basin and the Pilliga region.
The environmental risks are not to be forgotten as well as the results affecting ground waters which will become toxic and the damages caused to the ecosystems of the region.
The state of South Australia has banned CSG mining for good reasons, please wake up to the facts and stop this dangerous project!

The negative aspects of CSG has been widely published all over the world ...any approval by the department is gross negligence and betrayal not only to Australia but to the whole planet . Supporting greed and profit of destructive corporations is totally unacceptable and whoever reads this AND continues to support CSG is complicit

This is madness. Water will become the new gold, so jeapordising our greatest aquifer is short sighted and ignorant to say the least.

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.


¹SoilFutures 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
²http://www.smh.com.au/environment/santos-coal-seam-gas-project-contaminates-aquifer-20140307-34csb.html
³BirdLife International (2017) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Pilliga http://www.birdlife.org
⁴Marion Carey Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA), Air pollution from coal seam gas may put public health at risk The Conversation, November 20, 2012
⁵https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/oct/21/siding-spring-observatory-threat-coal-seam-gas-light-pollution
⁶http://darksky.org/first-dark-sky-park-in-australia-designated/

this is unacceptable.

I object to the NSW Government granting a license to Santos to drill coal seam gas wells in the Piliga forest and through the Great Artesian Basin.

Over 90% of the local community do no want this license to be granted as they fear for the safety of their agricultural land and the safety of their water supply. NSW Government need to listen to the community as their concerns are extremely valid.

Please stop destroying our nature and fauna, and do not go ahead with mining our beautiful Pilliga forests.

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

Coal seam gas mining has been proven to be destructive to the land and water supplies in areas it is practiced. This has been demonstrated over and over again. It is a human right to have clean drinking water, and coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga threatens the water table which supplies much of NSW with its drinking and agricultural water. It is therefore both illegal, irresponsible and immoral to use coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga, as it would violate the human rights of many people living in NSW. I do not support coal seam gas mining in the Pilliga, and I call for a government ban on the practice, and the development of renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power and hydroelectric sources instead.

The Pilliga Region is ecolgically very sensitive to human impacts. It is already proven controversial innappropiate development that has a use by date in progress.
This action contravenes climate change targets & is antiquated form of energy.

The future of power use is environmentally friendly sustainable natural resource solar, wind & thermal energy use.

Commercial benefits or gain to big mining companies is NOT in the best interests of our livelihood or a healthy sustainable future of humans survival on planet earth.

Cars will be soon be outdated on petroleum products.