Narrabri Gas

The environmental damage done by this process of gas exploration has proved in the USA and now here, to be extreme and long term. Is the money made by companies worth the very negative effects on farms, people and places. Have we not learnt anything from the despoiling of rivers, land and the toxic damage to human beings that has been seen already in Australia. Please consider the future of this relatively clean country before you agree to allow this to go ahead. Money will never replace the loss of living land and people's lives and livelihoods.

Please don't go ahead with this irreversible and senseless destruction of these beautiful and uniquely valuable (for biodiversity reasons) sites. Please if you want energy take the sensible option and develop renewables. Thank you for listening.

No more wells

I wish to object very strongly to the proposal by Santos to establish some 850 wells for coal seam gas in the Piliga, NSW.
Under the pretext of a looming gas supply crisis, Santos seeks to undo the work of many local and other people to protect this unique remaining forest in north west NSW. No such crisis exists, Australia is now the leading exporter of gas in the world and could easily supply itself but our governments have chosen (in order to benefit the profits of companies like Santos) to not require a local supply benchmark. This is contrary to the national interest. As we transition away from fossil fuels the use of gas is necessary. Its own polluting effects should limit this to a minimum but instead the greed of some appears to exceed the need of the community and the environment. Gas extraction (particularly fracking) has been shown to be extremely damaging to water supplies and the environment more generally. While it may burn less carbon intensively than coal it still emits high levels of greenhouse gas and is generally polluting and overall less safe than any renewable form of energy generation. All these factors make it frankly insane for any government to approve such an expansion of gas drilling anywhere but especially in this invaluable habit called the Pilliga. I call on you to refute the EIS of Santos and disallow this environmental vandalism posing as economic development.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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. 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.

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/

CSG operations have already been shown to be a disastrous process in this country and in the USA where there is a longer history of this practice.
I can't understand why there is still any discussion about allowing fracking anywhere!

I am lodging a submission against Santos' Narrabri Gas Project to help end CSG in NSW once and for all. I am proud that Victoria has said 'No' to CSG already.
Gas is a finite fossil fuel. Its exploitation is redundant in a time of wind, solar and pumped hydro power generation.
The risks CSG pose to the environment, food production and the water table all indicate that it has no place and should be outlawed.
I personally had my gas meter abolished this year. My rooftop solar generates more power than I use. I have put my money where my ethics are and it feels very good to know I am minimising my carbon footprint.

It is sad to think that the government would allow such a mass scale CSG development in an area known for its contribution to the artesian basin. There has been trouble already in QLD with their CSG projects. Farmers who have farmed the land for generations are having to deal with the toxic fumes which leak out day in and day out. They can set fire to this gas. The water basin underneath is being affected. Water is spilling out from the cracks they have caused in the earth, slowly but surely draining away precious water for farming. With the drought situation being seemingly ever present, why would the government allow such a risky development? More than 90% of the Pilliga community oppose this development and thousands more around Australia are there to back them up.

We are very disappointed at the dictatorial approach of tboth he Federal and many State governments towards residents and communities submissions. They are jconstantly just ignored and it appears the "consultation" process is just a token and an excuse to "legitimise" a foregone conclusion.
The bias against Communities is astonishing and the bias towards big corporations is tantamount to ecological suicide..
Fraking is dangerous. It pollutes the artesian waters and has been proven to trigger earthquakes. Many European countries have banned it for that reason.
Listen to science, communities and REASON
Stop the devastation of this beautiful land.
Yours sincerely
Laura Pieraccini
Coordinator
Residents for Environment and Character Conservation

when we will have cut the last tree we will realise we can t eat money

I object to the proposed Santos CSG wells.This project is inadvisable on many grounds:
- too much water is used in fracking, and Australia is a semi-arid to arid country which cannot afford to endanger our few water resources
-- toxic leakages could occur into our precious artesian basins
-- methane will escape from the wells, and this is a very potent greenhouse gas
-- thousands of tonnes of salt waste will be produced, and Santos has no way of disposing of it
-- the Pilliga is home to many threatened species
-- neither the local community nor the Aboriginal custodians want this project to go ahead.
Please do not allow this project to proceed.

Santos CSG project will compromise the viability of the Piliga as a healthy ecosystem and poses a serious risk to the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray Darling basin.

Santos has already allowed a fresh water aquifier in the Piliga to be contaminated with toxic CSG water and it is clear that there has been spills and leaks from storage ponds. Santos is not interested in looking after the community and its right to a healthy future. The long term health and integrity of the land and its' people must come before Santos profit.

For our children and our childrens' children and on behalf of my family I stand with the people of Narrabri, the Australian farming community and the Gamilaraay Traditional custodians in strong opposition the Narrabri Gas Project.

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.

Here are my objections to the proposed project;

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.
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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The only responsible thing to do is to keep it in the ground.

Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We've golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair.

Read these words, let them soak into your australian soul and pease do not destroy the Pilliga.

Coal Seam Gas, DOES NOT on any level advance Australia Fair.

I was born in Central Western NSW but am now a resident of Melbourne. I make this submission as a member of the public who cares deeply about protecting our land for the benefit of future generations, not only of humans but of native flora and fauna. We know that global warming is occurring and we know that supply of fresh water is precarious world-wide. Mining in the Pilliga, as it contaminates and disturbs the Artesian basin and promotes unsustainable energy consumption, goes against the most urgent concerns of our time and should not be permitted. The Victorian government has a moratorium on coal seam gas mining in the State. This moratorium is the result of community wishes and important scientific and environmental considerations being taken into account. It is time for New South Wales to listen to the overwhelming advice and concern of the people and to abide by the democratic values which have been entrusted to it to uphold.

csg cannot be passed as safe to the environment or citizens health without unacceptable risks.this has already been proven in oversea production.

I am writing this submission to object to the proposed coal seam gas mining of the Pilliga forest.

It is reprehensible in the extreme that we of Australia should knowingly undertake activities which cannot but damage our environment. The proposed coals seam gas wells are just one example of such knowing, irresponsible and environmentally damaging activities undertaken not for the good of Australia but for the pockets of investors.There is more than enough information available that indicates our deplorable reliance on non-renewable sources of energy is a hiding to nothing, that those resources must run out at some stage, and that there are viable alternatives now and in development that are far more worthy of support.

I urge you not to proceed with the oil seam gas mines in the Pilliga.

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.

Minister Roberts,

The fact that Australian exports a huge quantity of gas may be good for your government's economy, but our state is slowly becoming an environmental disaster, and this is why I am writing to you, in particular, about Santos and their operations in the Pilliga forest.

The Pilliga forest is the largest intact woodland in eastern Australia, stretching across half a million hectares in north-western New South Wales and the sandstone under the Pilliga is a vital recharge area for the Great Artesian Basin, and creeks that flow through the Pilliga provide clean water into the Murray Darling Basin.

That a total of 500 million litres of concentrated brine waste may be stored onsite in giant ponds is of deep concern and under no circumstances should be allowed..

Please Minister, Roberts, stop Santos from ever allowing this potential disaster to occur.

Ann Lidstone