Narrabri Gas

No more drilling

I oppose this application due to environmental concerns. Santos has a bad track record for contamination and can't be trusted. I strongly object this.

i am opposed to the continued expansion for gas thru coal seam extraction, the helth of our waterways and ground water iscparamount andvneeds to be protected. the emphasis should be instead to expand renewable energy sources .
notvenoughvemphasis is placed on thevhealth of ourcenvironment and the value of our remaining natural habitat and arable farmland.

One of the greatest assets of Australia is their wilderness. Unique flora and fauna inhabit this southern land. They have lived in this land forever. We must respect nature´s balance including natural reserves and parks. We cannot let one corporation´s interests destroy native flora and fauna.
Australia is a democracy and as such we the people demand not to have such coal seam and gas facilities in precious land. We have our right to be heard and the government have the obligation to listen actively and act proactively.

The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed.

FARMS NOT GAS
We need to look ahead and protect the land for the future of our children. Have we not learnt anything from the horrible repercussions happening across America due to this horrible industry called CSG.

CSG extraction is not a viable economic source of gas compared to conventional gas. The degradation of land, water & environment in the Pilliga is unacceptable & this inland forest, should remain untouched as a recharge basin.

Lowering the water table is unacceptable for central NSW & the wisdom & vision & understand of our underground water systems are given no priority to be left intact with CSG

There is no intergenerational policy in place for the future generations fresh water & the ideology & rhetoric of CSG being good for the country is based on economic principles that are not based in reality & don't consider the wellbeing of the Artesian Basin

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.

Coal seem gas extraction sound be band Australia wide, I don't want to see our land and water table distroid for the sake of a quick dollar! coal seem gas is environmental rape!

Government should not permit the digging of gas wells by any company in our unique Pillaga area, directly above the Great Artesian Basin.


1. Mining companies in this country have a woeful history when it comes to remediation of the country they mine. The 60,000 abandoned mines dotted across our landscapes are testimony to this. There are too many loopholes open enabling the mining companies to save money by dodging their remediation obligations. And there are simply not enough government employees to check that miners have fulfilled their contracts. To accept even a written agreement by Santos on this deal, would be naive.

Furthermore, any environmental impact study Santos has undertaken will of course be skewed to their benefit.

2. The Great Artesian Basin is absolutely vital to the health of our scarce water supplies in a country that is mostly arid lands and desert. The Basin has already been seriously impacted on by agriculture and other mining interests. Any proposal by Santos to drill hundreds of wells must be checked extensively by independent geology and hydrology experts before Santos can be allowed to endanger our water supplies and thus our food security.

3. The production of several tonnes of salt every single day for 25 years and the dumping of this salt as landfill is extremely ill-advised. The environmental impact of the salt dumped in this way has not been adequately studied, but it doesn't take a genius to see that it's not a good idea. Our country already struggles with salinity problems and Santos will be adding to them on an industrial scale.

I'm gobsmacked the Government is even considering Santos' gas well scheme in the Pillaga.

I strongly oppose and object to this project.
In general the majority of Australia's citizens oppose CSG.
The Great Artesian Basin is precious, and easily one of the countries most valuable resources. CSG will contaminate the Great Artesian Basin, therefore destroying one of Australia's greatest economic resources. It is not economically sensible in the slightest, and there is nothing to gain from this project. Australian's will reap the consequences of this project for generations.

I support the Wilderness Society's views in the following statements.
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.

Listen to the people, politicians do not seem to want to do this anymore. Nooooooooo CSG.

Gas mining should not go ahead in the Pilliga because of appalling damage to the environment.

It is essential for Governments at all levels to be supporting renewable environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar and wind.

The First Peoples of this area are against gas mining for the destruction of the environment and the damage to the land for which they have been custodians for thousands of years.

Please stop gas and coal mining in the Pilliga.
Thank you.

I object to this CSG development proposal on many grounds. Local injection to the proposal. Local objection is a clear, and a measure of the commitment to the area and its history. Water is Australia's scarcest resource, yet CSG, is proposed near such a treasured water reservoir such as the Great Artesian Basin. It is a high-risk process, despite the arguable benefits.

The mining will also affect local flora and fauna, which continue to suffer through land clearance. I object to the proposal on these grounds.

Please consider the Future of our Water and Food availability
why is Gas more important?? Our Children will have No Future
Our Planet will not Sustain such utter disregard of its ability to Survive and Replenish for Future Generations
I Implore You to
Listen to the People Listen to the Local Farmers
Listen to the Indegenious People's who were here way before us
No To Coal Seam Gas

I would like to lodge my objection to the plans to mine, extract CSG from the Piliga Region.
The planned 850 wells will decimate the area and possibly contaminate the aquifers that lay below that area.
Uncontaminated water is a must for our future and the future of farming in the Narrabri area.
Governments appear to be incapable of protecting our natural environment when they can make a short term monetary gain.
I implore you to protect the Piliga a wonderful area for tourism and bush walking and camping.
Yours sincerely
Anne McAlpine

The bush needs their bore water in a lot of country towns they rely on bore water for their water supply. Our political leader's need to understand that not all Australians live in the city . don't forget we vote too and underestimate how many people do live in the regional areas do you really think if you destroy our water in the driest country on earth just so big business can make a profit we will forget.. Well l know l will Not

Please Keep the environmental impact high on the priority list before making the decision rio go forward.
Please consider other options that will enhance the Community, Health and Environment and not subject from them.
We are a lucky country, lets protect it from long term damage.

Please do not allow coal seam gas exploration or extraction in the Pilliga. The people of NSW have spoken loudly against fracking and CSG mining in our state. Our aquifers are at risk of becoming contaminated by CSG activity.

Despite assurances giving environmental safety, chemical spills still happen and our water holdings become contaminated. These pristine water reserves need to be protected now and for future generations. Short term profits will not offset long term damage of our water catchments.

Allowing CSG mining in the Pilliga is simply not warranted nor is it wanted by the residents of NSW.

Clean, renewable energy supply s the way to go. Not CSG mining. Please look after our future generations of children and put a stop to CSG mining in NSW forever.

As a decision maker, you will long be remembered for your support (or not) of the people of NSW and our precious environment. Do the right thing and say NO to CSG in NSW !

No one wins from CSG.

Our country is so important. Water is ruined by CSG and without water we will all die.

STOP CSG PLEASE