Narrabri Gas

I stand in opposition to coal seam gas mining

Protect Mother Nature don't destroy her! Please think about future generations here & stop being so short sighted...

Instead of allowing companies to send Australian gas oversees TAX FREE, Keep some for domestic use and kindly refrain from any further environmental vandalism by drilling new wells.

I object on the grounds that we have no idea on how long it takes to refill the ground water in the Great Artesian Basin, nor do we fully understand the detrimental effects that CSG has on the earth or groundwater or farmland.
The damage that CSG projects has done worldwide and in Australia has been well documented and I do not think that it is work the risk to our environment on a promise from a company with only their self interest and profits as their motivation.

Stop raping our precious land to feed your greed/

I do not agree to CSG in NSW . We have other reliable energy eg solar, wind that we should be investing that does not destroy our land and water.

I wish to lodge my objection to the Narrabri Gas Project. Coal seam gas is increasingly being found to be significant and unpredictable in the extent and severity of damage to the environment.

It is not a legitimate means for profits to be made at the expense of the environment and peoples lives and health. Where companies insist on profiting from this system, share holders need to be aware nothing is for free and coal seam gas will take its toll, even on them.

1. 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.¹

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.

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 waterÂ--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 Â`biodiversity hotspotsÂ' 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 pipelinesÂ--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 nationÂ'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 Â`dark sky parkÂ'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 PilligaÂ'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.

- See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga?utm_source=phplist&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FEB_17_wildnews-%5Bmessageid%5D&utm_content=story1#sthash.uw0nmAxD.dpuf

I Strongly object to Santos' Narrabri Gas Project!
For the folling reasons:
1. The Narrabri Gas Project risks precious water sources, including the Great Australian Basin--Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
2. The Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians are opposed
3. Farmers and other local community reject the project
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
5. The Pilliga is a haven for threatened wildlife
6. Coal seam gas fuels dangerous climate change
7. Human health is compromised by coal seam gas
8. The nation's premier optical astronomical observatory is at risk
9. Thousands of tonnes of salt waste will result from the project
10. Risk of fires would increase throughout the Pilliga's tinder-box conditions
-Thank you and See more at: https://www.wilderness.org.au/final-push-pilliga#sthash.97SpXLO0.dpuf

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.

Stop ruining arable farmland you clowns. They stopped making it years ago and once it's been mined it's stuffed forever.
It is not sustainable to make a quick buck out of mining CSG when the cost is ruined farmland forever.

To do this to our country is a moral crime. I want my grandchildren and great grandchildren to be able to travel and see the beauty our country has to offer. Please consider future generations.

I grew up as a child on the edge of the Pilliga. My Family still live and work near there. We had picnics there. We explored there. Those who have seen both Kakadu and the Pilliga know the remarkable similarities, particularly in the untouched areas of the Pilliga where the cycads still grow. Who has marvelled at the incredible wild flower display in August near John Grosser's old one man timber mill? (This was a man who knew and nurtured the forest) There are many little known, sacred aboriginal sites all along the sandstone ridges and creeks right through the Pilliga that are at risk as well as the obvious environmental hazards of air, light, ground water pollution, fire and erosion. Why do we still want to keep destroying this country just to satisfy the greed of a relatively few people? Stop this now! Instead look at sensible sustainable options eg Eco tourism. Local timber mills logging in a sustainable manner, not clear felling, have been closed down because they were not allowed to source local cyprus pine for apparent environmental reasons yet you are letting Santos put in wells access roads and gas pipelines with little regard to local conditions despite their so called engineering expertise. Eg a pipe line found swinging in the breeze after a local flash flood, very common in the area washed away the inadequate supports. Consider the potential for disaster leaking gas could have caused. Stop this.

I am an Australian citizen and I wish to express my opposition to coal seam gas mining and fracking of sites in the Pilliga. The reason most strongly is a human right issue. There is no need for the use of gas in this region or any region to be frank. There is no credibility to such antiquated practices of gas extraction in an area that is significantly ancient and pristine. There is a great risk of toxic pollutants going into water systems and reduction in air quality which has been experienced and reported on many areas used by gas companies in Australia and overseas. You have no right to destroy the ecological and geographical terrain of the Pilliga. It should remain unspoilt for now and for the future generations to come. You have a responsibilty to protect water and air quality for Australians now and also for future generations. The land should not be used for gas extraction and your energies need now to be focused more than ever on renewable energy rather than the profit of companies and overseas countries. Australia is sacred land with very few river systems in comparsion to the size of the country and these need to be protected not destroyed. It is your responsibility to protect the basic rights of all Australians in terms of clean water and air. I do not want such industry occuring on this sacred land and how dare you even consider such a proposal when scientists are warning us of the impact that such activity will have on humans, wildlife, flora, recreation and the significant Indigeous Austrailans spiritual connectedness to the land. Please protect this area and put your focus onto clean renewable energy instead of a quick buck.

No!

THERE ARE NEWER BETTER WAYS - NO TO COAL SEAM GAS

I cannot believe there are fellow human beings out there who would gather like minded morally corrupt troops to pull together to share the hideously born spoils at the expense of so many! Not only will our land, our food, our air and our water be seriously threatened with toxic contaminants, but our history, our future, our heritage and culture, our way of life, our rights, our health, our flora and fauna all are on the line. This proposal & CSG in general is outrageously immoral and should not be allowed to go any further, for so many reasons. Here are just a few:

1. The Narrabri Gas Project jeopardies valuable water sources, that includes the Great Australian Basin ~ Australia's largest groundwater aquifer
The Narrabri gasfield poses a genuine and serious threat to precious water resources in both the Great Artesian Basin and the Murray-Darling Basin.
The Great Artesian Basin is almost completely contained within the Pilliga East forest and has high recharge rates. The water removed for CSG extraction could potentially reduce the water pressure in recharge areas, which in turn could prevent the free flow of waters to the surface at the springs and bores across the whole Great Artesian Basin.

Creeks in the Pilliga flow into the Namoi River, which is part of the Murray Darling Basin - a system vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills, as well as from the salty treated water that would be produced by the proposed 850 wells.

2. Opposition from the Gamilaraay Traditional Custodians
Hundreds of important cultural sites exist within this area. Gamilaraay have shared stories and songlines for generations about the significant links they have with the forest and the groundwater beneath. Gamilaraay people have told Santos that they do not want their country sacrificed for a coal seam gas field and are deeply involved in the battle against CSG.

3. Farmers and the clear majority of locals reject the project
Extensive surveys undertaken with people in local and surrounding communities with results indicating an average of 96% rigorously expressing opposition to CSG's plans. These voices of opposition span 3.2 million hectares of country surrounding the Pilliga forest and included 99 communities. Farmers in their hundreds have shown their opposition by participating in protests not seen before in the region.

4. History has shown that Santos cannot be trusted to manage the Narrabri Gas Project safely with their long record of contaminating precious natural resources with toxic spills and leaks.
Santos has earned its reckless and untrustworthy reputation with past careless and hazardous practices causing contamination to a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga that tested uranium present at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines that also contained lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium. Additionally, there have been reports of over 20 spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from well-heads, pipes and storage ponds. Santos simply cannot be trusted to safeguard the wellbeing of any community or natural environment, let alone to value anything above their bottom line.

5. The Pilliga region is a haven for threatened wildlife
The Pilliga is listed as one of 15 nationally identified `biodiversity hotspots' and the region is vital to the survival of various threatened species such as: Koalas, Spotted-tailed Quolls, Black-striped Wallabies, Eastern Pygmy-possums, Pilliga Mice and South-eastern Long-eared Bats. The forest accommodates over 200 bird species and is recognised internationally as an `Important Bird Area'. The Santos gasfield would fragment 95,000 hectares of the Pilliga with well-pads, roads, water and gas pipelines that would damage vital habitats and threaten the survival of several endangered species.

6. Coal seam gas contributes negatively to climate change
Methane is (by far) the major component of natural gas and is contributes as a greenhouse gas 72 times more powerful than CO². CSG fields directly impact climate change through the leakage of methane during production, during transportation, during processing and through using coal seam gas.

7. Coal seam gas compromises human health
Coal seam gas operations, including flaring of gas wells can release a range of volatile hydrocarbons and organic compounds into the air that may cause a variety of harmful health effects to humans that can include: irritation to the eyes, nose and airways, headaches, nausea, dizziness and loss of coordination. Such impacts have been documented in human populations near existing gasfields in Queensland, in Sydney and in the United States of America.

8. Australia's leading optical astronomical observatory is at risk
Situated in the Warrumbungles and adjacent to the Pilliga, the Siding Springs Observatory is under threat due to the light and dust pollution the Narrabri Gas Project would involve. This pristine region has been internationally valued and recognised as a `dark sky park', a rare and precious resource that would be placed in serious jeopardy if the effects of 50m high gas flares were introduced to the region as proposed by Santos.

9. Residual salt waste in the thousands of tonnes will be produced by the project
No environmentally responsible solution has given been given by Santos to address a safe way of disposing of the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt that will be produced. Somewhere between 17,000 and 42,000 tonnes of salt waste would be produced annually, which would be an inexcusable toxic legacy to bestow on existing and future NSW citizens.

10. Fire risks would increase throughout the Pilliga
Even during total fire bans, methane flare stacks up to 50m high would be running day and night and the Pilliga is prone to severe bushfires. The project would see ignition sources increase as well as extracting, transporting and storing a highly flammable gas within this extremely fire-prone forest.

I am submitting as a parent , a concerned Australian citizen , and as someone who is close to many of our original people of Australia, and as and Educator of children against CSG across all of Australia and the recent Piliga plans . We are in an age whereby we have access to so much information informing us of the many alternative ways of living with natural resources that are in harmony with the earth and therefore harmonises us a human race that I am absolutely against the destruction of lthe earth and the history of wisdom she holds without understanding the full concequences for all future generations and the damage to so much life. All for the much shorter term gain of money and greed that profits select few only and has no sustainability connection whatsoever , it is the destruction of life for power and the corrupt money system ! Please save Australia from this devastation, so our children will not be forced into a Lorax scenario !

Please create the Great Forest National Park in Victoria and stop land clearing in Queensland--a state which has, over the past three years, seen an area the size of the MCG cleared every three minutes.

I object to the Narrabri Gas Project, both for the sake of the people living in the Pilliga area and for the environment.

Coal seam gas fields pollute both air and water, endangering nearby people and habitats as well as the wider health of the planet. Gases that leak from coal seam gas operations contribute to global warming, and have been reported to cause negative health effects for nearby communities. Respiratory problems, skin conditions and other negative effects have been documented in populations near gas fields in Queensland, Sydney and America.

Spills and leaks of toxic water have long been documented for the Narrabri Gas Project; such as contamination of a freshwater aquifer in the Pilliga with uranium levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines, as well as lead, aluminium, arsenic and barium. In addition, there have been over 20 reported spills and leaks of toxic CSG water from storage ponds, pipes and well heads. Creeks in the Pilliga run into the Namoi River - a part of the Murray Darling Basin, one of our most precious water resources. This system is vulnerable to contamination from drilling fluid spills and the salty treated water produced from the proposed 850 wells.

The Santos company claims the Narrabri Gas project presents "minimal and manageable risk to the environment," but the project's history of spills and leaks undermines this claim. Additionally, the coal seam gas operation would produce tens of thousands of tonnes of salt each year - a byproduct that no disposal solution has been proposed for. This presents a toxic problem for the environment, in addition to fluid and gas spills and leaks.

The Pilliga forest is a nationally listed biodiversity hotspot and is vital to the survival of many threatened native species, such as Koalas, Spotted-tailed Quolls, Black-striped Wallabies, Eastern Pygmy-possums, Pilliga Mice and South-eastern Long-eared Bats. As well as the many pollution risks, the Narrabri 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 our native species.

Methane flare stacks in the gas fields would increase the risk of fires in an area already known for severe bushfires, endangering humans and wildlife alike. In addition to the increase in ignition sources, the extraction, transportation and storage of a highly flammable gas within the forest would increase fire risks.

Residents, farmers and the indigenous Gamilaraay people have all objected to the Narrabri Gas Project. Hundreds of farmers have participated in protest actions across the region, and community surveys show an average of 96% opposition to coal seam gas. Now I add my voice from Queensland: for the sake of the Pilliga people, for their safety, and for our environment, make the right decision. Do not leave a legacy of destruction and pollution for New South Wales.