Narrabri Gas

The Piligra Forest is so important to Australia, as all forests are and should be protected as soon as possible. As for gas production, we are already the largest exporter of gas, so for a start no more exploration is required. Please say NO to any applications for gas exploration to any company. We need oxygen, not gas. For us, and all generations to come. Thank you.

The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian BasinÂ--AustraliaÂ'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 areasÂ--potentially stopping the free flow of waters to the surface at springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.

Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi RiverÂ--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.

The Pilliga is part of the Great Artesian Basin. The risk of contamination is too great and the consequences so far reaching that we cannot allow CSG to occur. In addition, the impact of infrastructure and roads on the natural environment will be huge and devastating. No CSG in Victoria, because the public are aware of the consequences in overseas communities and cannot be persuaded that it won't happen in Australia. It already is!! Let's learn from the experience of others.

It is my will that the NSW Governmnent outrightly reject oil and gas company Santos' proposal to place 850 coal seam gas wells in the heart of the Pilliga forest in North West New South Wales. For the sake of Australia's Great Artesian Basin which cannot be replaced and for the sake of the health of Australia's people as coal seam gas waste water is contaminated, toxic water, and for the sake of the forest as the infrastructure needed would have a significant negative impact, and finally although much less important, the fact that the gas may not even be for domestic use but will be sold overseas. The right thing to do here is to reject this proposal that is being made by people who seem to care very little for the land or the people of Australia. We need to look at more sustainable sources of energy and profit right now.

I object to all coal seam gas

Please move the human race forward and look to a sustainable future.

The Narrabri Gas Project is opposed by 96% of local land owners and will pose a serious threat to local wildlife, and to local water sources.

In 2017 I do not believe that we should be investing in such harmful fossil fuels. Coal and Coal Seam Gas are dangerous to health, and a disaster for the environment.

It's time we stop kidding ourselves and take responsibility for the harm we are doing to the planet, and start taking its future seriously.

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.

These are the reasons I object to this proposal and feel most Australian's if they knew the truth about the devastating impact on the environment and the dangers of this project would also object.

Yours sincerely

Linda Dal Castello

I plead that the coal seam gas project in the Pilliga not proceed any further. This form of energy is fraught with problems and effects and is really past its usage. It is not a viable long-term solution to the world energy needs. Having lived for twenty four years at Narrabri I know the Pilliga well and it should be preserved as is.

Given the environmental and financial risks inherent in the development of the Narrabri Gas Project it seems reckless to proceed: the integrity of the Great Artesian Basin could be endangered, local people are largely opposed, and there will be cheaper alternatives:

http://reneweconomy.com.au/anu-wind-solar-hydro-grid-cheapest-option-australia-87796/

'A new study by energy experts from the Australian National University suggests that a 100 per cent renewable energy electricity grid - with 90 per cent of power coming from wind and solar - will be significantly cheaper future option than a coal or gas-fired network in Australia.
The study, led by Andrew Blakers, Bin Lu and Matthew Stocks, suggests that with most of Australia's current fleet of coal generators due to retire before 2030, a mix of solar PV and wind energy, backed up by pumped hydro, will be the cheapest option for Australia, and this includes integration costs.
The report says that wind is currently about $64/MWh and solar $78/MWh, but the costs of both technologies are falling fast, with both expected to cost around $50/MWh when much of the needed capacity is built. With the cost of balancing, this results in a levellised cost of energy (LCOE) of around $75/MWh.
By contrast, the LCOE of coal is $80/MWh, and some estimates - such as those by Bloomberg New Energy Finance which adds in factors such as the cost of finance risk - put it much higher.
Blakers says his team did not need to dial that higher price of coal into the equation: "We don't include a risk premium or carbon pricing or fuel price escalation or threat of premature closure because renewables doesn't need any of this to compete," he says.
Nor do his estimates include any carbon price, which will further tip the balance in favour of renewables. Nor do they include future cost reductions in wind and solar. "There is no end in sight to cost reductions," Blakers says.'

Due to the huge dissatisfaction in the Pilliga community with this project I urge you not to grant mining rights to Santos for CSG.
This form of energy production should be banned for many reasons: it causes serious damage to climate, natural habitats, wildlife, soil, air, water. It will take decades to restore the damage that will be caused to the environment and the community that lives ther. The past record of poorly managed mining projects by this company has to be taken into account - accidents will happen.
The donations to and lobbying of various state parties by Santos is very poor democracy. Communities feel disenfranchised when pitted against the might of its powerful financial interests. I urge you to listen to the concerns of the community and to carefully examine the detrimental effects of CSG mining in other areas and not to approve this application.

I have been a passionate advocate for the planet for the past 40 years. During the 1980s the planet faced the potential catastrophe of a nuclear war as the main power blocs faced off against each other.
Of course this could still occur, as more countries now have access to nuclear weapons.
The world is wracked with conflicts and the deaths of thousands of people.

However, the issue with most concerns me at present is the future of the human race and climate change.

The world is running along as if we had all the time in the word to address the miriade of crises the panel is facing: climate change, the heating of the planet, the pollution of the oceans, the destruction of the world's forests, the destruction of animal habitat.

Coal seam gas extraction is a toxic, non-necessary, destructive method of producing energy. Why would we want to continue such methods when they have been exposed as such? The desire to make money is at the heart of this crazy proposal by Santos and if the NSW Government agrees to these wells, then they are complicit in driving another nail into coffin of the world.
I won't waste time providing all the scientific facts and statistics. You know this already. This is not a decision which will be made on facts and logic, but on greed and politics.

1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer.
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.
3. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife.
4. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
5. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
6. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
7. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions

I oppose the Narrabri Gas Project proceeding. The project involves development of a coal seam gas field comprising up to 850 gas wells. There is abundant evidence from previous and current coal seam gas projects in Australia and the US that show there will be impacts on land, water and air quality. The impacts on land and water will effectively be permanent, on human time scales.

Land will be contaminated by spills at gas extraction points, including injection chemicals, salt, etc.

Surface water will be contaminated at surface, due to spills and gases rising within the ground due to fracturing.

Aquifer / sub-surface water will be contaminated due to chemical injected during the drilling and fracturing process and gases released due to fracturing. Narrabri Gas Project is situated within the Great Artesian Basin, upon which much of Australia relies for water for human consumption and agriculture.

Air will be contaminated due to fugitive emissions at gas extraction points and the surrounding areas. The effects of such air pollution on nearby inhabitants of coal seam gas projects have been documented and are numerous and include eye, nose and airway irritation, nausea, headache and dizziness.

The perceived benefit of CSG over other fuels (coal, renewables) on the basis of relative contributions to green house gases does not take into account the volume of fugitive emissions resulting from CSG extraction.

The local Gamilaraay Aboriginal people object to a coal seam gas field.

Well over 90% of local people object to the project.

The project would degrade the habitat of a number of threatened species, eg. Pilliga Mouse, Koala, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Black-striped Wallaby, Eastern Pygmy-possum.

I oppose the 'Narrabri Gas Project', which I understand 'The Narrabri Gas Project involves the progressive development of a coal seam gas field comprising up to 850 gas wells on up to 425 well pads over 20 years, and the construction and operation of gas processing and water treatment facilities, including:
- a central gas processing facility for the compression, dehydration and treatment of gas;
- a water management facility for the storage and treatment of produced water;
- an in-field gas compression and water management facility; and
- water and gas gathering pipelines and ancillary infrastructure. '

I have no doubt about the subterranean destabilization that coal seam or franking causes.
There must be a national blanket ban on this process of obtaining gas as victoria has done.
If we have a shortage of supply (which we do not have at the present advice tells us) simply sell less overseas.

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. These water sources are the lifeblood of farming communities throughout the southeast and inland Australia.
Santos's plans to industrialise the Pilliga with 850 coal seam gas wells--threaten this natural refuge, our precious groundwater, and the communities who rely on it. To maintain a safe climate and keep global warming below 2 degrees, projects like this cannot go ahead.
I emphatically oppose Santos' Narrabri Gas Project.

I am writing to you today to lodge my objection to the Narrabri gas field project.

This project will have a devastating effect on the precious Pilliga forest and its koala population.It will also endanger the water supply in the great Australian basin. This water is vital for agriculture and has to be protected.

The traditional owners of this place, the Gamilaraay people, are opposed to the desecration of their landscape and the destruction of their sacred sites

As you would be aware, Santos has a poor record when it comes to the environment, they have overseen numerous spills and leaks.

To approve this project would be to destroy a vital part of this state, I urge you to reject this madness.

Yours sincerely
Robynne Burchell

Please DO NOT continue to contaminate ground water with dangerous coal seam gas fracking.

We only have one planet and a finite amount of water. We aren't smart enough to be able to manufacture water or air. And we certainly aren't smart enough to manufacture a new planet.

We ALL need to do our utmost to protect our planet and it's precious natural resources in order for every life form to continue to flourish.

We can't drink oil or gas, and we can't eat anything that grows in the wastelands left by coal seam gas fracking ..... because NOTHING grows in those wastelands.

We can't eat the money that is made from the sale of oil or gas, and once the planet is devastated, money won't buy anything because there will be nothing left.

Please concentrate on solar, wind and hydro power instead of killing our planet with coal seam gas fracking.

Switch to clean, renewable energy worldwide to save the planet.

Thank you

The Narrabri Gas Project.

What a joke.

There is no way the People of Australia are going to continue to let this autocratic, technocrat elite destroy our homeland, and the memories of our ancient past!

The highest approval rating for this CSG project is 7%, the People have made it clear, WE DO NOT APPROVE!!!

I am a conservative, my voice is clear, my view is absolute, DO NOT DESTROY OUR COUNTRY!

The voices of the voiceless are rising...

With all due respect,
Benjamin William Weine.