Narrabri Gas

This is part 2 of my submission and it provides evidence that local opposition to Santos is real and widespread. On the 19th April 2015 locals lined the Newell Highway in NSW to show their thoughts and feelings about Coal Seam Gas in their districts. This became Australia's longest demonstration. The video captures voices along a 200 klm section of the Newell highway over 4 hours. Plans by Santos Pty Ltd to drill more than 850 wells through the Great Artesian Basin in the Pilliga will depressurize and pollute the aquifers. The company claims they have community support but this video provides evidence that local communities are resolute in their resistance to turn their districts into gas fields. The video format is accessible by way of a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtvkaWm__fA

I can provide the source video file if needed.

To destroy this beautiful piece of pure nature, for a source of energy which can easily be replaced by sustainable sources, is a waste. This project is not in the best interest of the Australian people.

We live in the best country on the planet.... please don't continue to put our environment at risk.... could u please pursue other forms of energy... wind /wave /solar/ methane

I object to sacrificing this pristine wilderness that I have personal ties to.

I have been following the subject of çsg mining for a decade now, and am convinced the process of csg mining is expensive and uses extraordinarily unforgivable copious amounts of underground water supplies. Also, there is no guarantee to the people of this country that the gas will be retained for domestic consumption i.e therefore the mining is an act of treason against the Australian people. ENOUGH. NO MORE CSG MINING! It is time for the government to announce a RESERVE of our óff shore liquefied gas' for domestic use. NOW!

I appreciate that it can be difficult to judge what's best when faced with a situation where there are diverse and competing interests. However, there is now a significant body of scientific, environmental, cultural and historical evidence available that would suggest that a project such as this is not in Australia's best interests.

The unique, delicate and simply beautiful ecological balance of the Pillaga region is being risked for what could only be regarded as mindless greed. Such environmental and cultural vandalism in the face of other more Eco friendly energy alternatives asks for people with great wisdom to discern the cross benefits and disadvantages.

It then takes visionary leadership to stand up and say, 'No! We do not need to take this path!'

It's well and truly time that our political, community and business leaders opened their vision to understand the consequences that projects such as this one have on our national landscape and our children's children's future. And it is our cultural, historical and, in the long run, our economic landscape as well as the physical landscape that is vandalised.

I ask who among you would be proud to admit to your great grandchildren that you allowed such wasteful destruction to occur?

I implore you to reject this proposal and any like it. And encourage, instead, these companies to explore more mindful projects that will create positive futures for all and not simply a short term wealth for a few.

Clearly, if we forge a less destructive path in energy solutions, there are longer term economic gains to be had.

Yours Faithfully,
Pauline Mackinnon

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.

I oppose the Narrabri gas project as it threatens ground water, increases land cleared in a valuable ecosystem and threatens endangered wildlife. A vast majority of people reject CSG in Australia and effected communities. It will also increase climate changes gasses. This areas should be protected as a natural ecosystem and farming reserve.

Environmental protection is of high priority is the world today.

Studies have shown through out the world that coal seam gas drilling pollutes and poisons water ways and natural water sources. Considering water is the most essential and important asset to human survival and existence, i find it abhorrent and disgraceful that projects like this are being put forward. This is even more illogical especially considering that there are now numerous alternative and environmentally friendly ways to produce human energy needs. Absolutely shameful. Any government that allows these practises to go ahead in the 21st century are doing a complete and utter injustice to future generations and the world in which we live.

Please think beyond the money.

stop the narrabri gas project as it destroys our enviroment

Please stop ruining this beautiful country, we are the lucky country and you will be responsible for ruining it. Coal seam gas is a bad idea you only have to look abroad at what it has done in America and beyond. Please have a heart and do what is right for the planet for once. I am starting to loose faith in humanity which is so sad in its own right. Yours sincerely Ross Najar

How terrible to destroy such an amazing part of Australia.

I oppose this drilling of The Artesian Basin in the strongest of terms. We must preserve our environment for the future, not rape it for profit.

I object to this horrendous project. Whenare the governments and politicians going to start thinking of preserving our Country instead of looking at dollars and profits for greedy investors. My hope is that PEOPLE POWER will show them how we think and how much we love this beautiful Country of ours.

The environmental devastation of this gas project cannot be underestimated . I am at loss as to how it has even come this far. When will big companies and the government stop the relentless rape and pillage of our natural environment? The greed and money grubbing will destroy our beautiful land and generations to come will never know what we had. Poison out water, wipeout our wildlife and fauna. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.

The Pilliga and more importantly the Artesian Basin will be much much more valuable to Australia in years to come if left untouched by resource companies now. I implore you- do not allow Santos in.

I have been a frequent visitor to the Pilliga forest area for the past 40 years and consider it to be of significant natural value. It is impossible to conceive that the drilling of CSG wells in such a delicate and natural environment can be considered anything but natural vandalism. The risk to the underground aquifer system is unacceptable and also the risk to the local flora, fauna and inhabitants is far far to high for this short term economic gain.
Please stop this madness .

Regards

Clayton Brown

Economically this is an unviable project if you take into account the real cost of fossil fuels and especially CSG Mining on our environment. This is an unsustainable practice in light of the volume of fresh water required at every well head and the levels of toxic chemicals that are the by product of the process. I also dispute any allegation of scarcity of gas reserves or availability here in Australia. If our gas wasn't being shipped overseas at ridiculously low prices we would have enough natural gas reserves for use here at home without needing to frack. The disruption and destruction of the Pilliga by allowing this project to proceed will be enormous and irreparable. Please consider the future and integrity of the artesian basin before allowing this travesty to proceed.